Testimonials for Mari's Place for the Arts

Student Testimonials

There’s no doubt that the students who attend art, dance, and music classes at Mari’s Place for the Arts have an unforgettable experience! But don’t just take our word for it!

"I am 13 years old, and I am learning to play guitar. My Instructor is Michael Smith, he’s very good and understood that was the first time I played a stringed instrument. I soon felt confident to ask to start practicing with electric guitar, my parents don’t have money to buy one so Michael told Mary that we need electric guitars and I don’t know how but Mary did magic and the next class we have 2 borrowed guitars to practice with. Our 3 months are done but I will be back in September to keep learning.”

"My friend invited me to go to Mari's Place for the Arts. I like to dance. I am in 2nd grade I wear glasses and I’m chubby. Children laugh at me at school. When I go to dance class I am very very happy because I am special and beautiful, Miss Mary said and when I grow up I’m going to teach other girls to dance.”

"I like to draw monsters but I am only 7 years old. My teacher Miss Sanchez is old like Mary but she taught me to draw different things with other girls in the class like faces and flowers. I am very good you want to see my work?”

"Charly is my teacher he and I play drums. I am 11 years old we live in an apartment they will not let you play with the drums but in Mari's Place for the Arts I can play loud and nobody is mad. Charly lives in La Conner it is very far away but because he is a friend of Mary he drives his car to teach me. Thank you Charly, I will see you in September again.”

"I am in 4th grade. My sister and my cousin sing Mexican music Miss Mary has a friend her name is Julie and she is very good and sings nice too. We can’t wait to go back and sing. Please can you open everyday? Our class is very small only 6 kids I like this.”

"I am 10 years old I like to paint. Miss Mary explains to me the difference between painting and drawing. My teachers name is Jon he lives in Bothell and goes to College in Bothell. We are 5 kids I like the small class. I want to put my art work all over the world. Miss Mary says I will because I am the best in the universe. I can not play sports because I get tired very quickly and here is quiet bright and nice.”

“I like Mari's Place for the Arts it is more clean than my room and smells good and Mary looks pretty all the time and she is good to me only she has white hair. I am learning to play piano I am 11 years old. We don’t have a piano but Miss Mary borrowed a keyboard and I can practice in my home thank you. My teacher is Miss Sandie she is very young.”

“My teacher’s name is Anita she is helping me with Math and I am doing very well. I am 14 years old in Mari's Place for the Arts you have many rules you need to say thank you, please, hello and good bye, can I help you, excuse me and many many rules. I am happy that Mary is strengthening these rules.”

“I like the class with Hannah because it is difficult so I’m not bored. We learn cool things and I have always wanted to learn how to dance. This class shows me some moves I can use when I’m at a school dance or something. I also really like the hard, intense ab work outs because i REALLY want good abs. ”

“I like dance class with Hannah because it is something new and something I have never tried before. It’s awesome. She plays amazing music and I like to learn all the cool moves she shows us.”

“I want to back in September maybe my grandmother can help me again .Because here I feel very special and pretty and happy of course you are in MARY’S PLACE !”

“Hanna is good teacher and she is only 16 years old. I can believed maybe other girls can teach too.”

COVID was bad & I was bored all the time and fought with my 5 brothers. My neighbor told my older brother about online art program. In a week we all had supplies to do art we didn’t fight anymore. We have good teachers we all talked without yelling. I like Mari’s Place for the Arts.

My sister Helen is 7 and I am 7 too. One day we saw an old lady in a golden car had boxes and she go everyday to different apartments. One day Helen yelled at her from the window hey! old lady what are you doing? Go home you going to catch COVID. She said I brought supplies for art classes you girls want to take classes online for free? We did with the old Lady name Mary from Mari’s Place for the Arts.

Because COVID 19 came I had to stay home locked up for years. Tired of TV and video games. My friends tell me about an online program called MARI’S PLACE FOR THE ARTS. My teacher was a young guy from EVERETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE Joe St John. I learn keyboard with my friends was fun, and easy, my parents love to see me happy again and smile.

my mother helping write this. When COVID arrived I did not want to play with anyone was sad. My 7 brothers not listen mom. She found granny Mary in the post office. Granny Mary said that she had a children’s program. We all participate in art classes online and our life change. Take dance my brothers signing lessons, painting and theater. Thank you Granny Mary (marisplacefortheart.org)

I volunteer during COVID 19 in Mari’s place for the Arts teaching different kinds of art to small children on line. I invited my friends to participate it was an incredible experience we were very disoriented what to do with our time. I think this help us maintain our sanity and have a good purpose in society. Mary is a good leader and someone who cares for others without any interest in time of crisis. I learned a lot from her and my friends also.

Parent Testimonials

The impact of Mari’s Place for the Arts goes far beyond art, dance, and music. Mari’s Place for the Arts is a safe haven for children to explore, share, and grow!

"I have a child who is eight years old and her name is Suzy. My daughter loves to go to Mari's Place for the Arts because she can paint and draw with her friend, Ashley. My daughter is sick and she cannot be exposed to unclean environments. But at Mari's Place for the Arts, we don’t have to worry about this. It is clean and taken care of well. Mari's Place for the Arts is a place that I feel comfortable allowing my daughter to visit.”

"I have a son who enjoys playing the keyboard. My son has hearing difficulties and has always struggled to learn. Despite his difficulties, he has always wanted to learn how to play keyboard. In schools, he never got this opportunity because he needed more one-on-one time. But at Mari's Place for the Arts, he can come and get lessons with four other boys and receive the attention that he requires so that he can fulfill this dream. I appreciate all that Mari's Place for the Arts does for my son.”

"I have two boys who have a degenerative genetic disorder that impairs their vision. A doctor in a children’s hospital referred Mari's Place for the Arts to me, and I drive from South Seattle every Saturday so my two boys can take a painting class. Mari's Place for the Arts is a wonderful place for my sons and I will continue to take my boys there until we return to South Africa.”

"I have a four year old daughter named Sandra and she likes to dance. My daughter was born missing several of her toes, and as a result she has balance and coordination difficulties. I’m thankful for Mari's Place for the Arts because Sandra feels comfortable coming here and dancing as best as she can and learning how to dance better. She loves Mari's Place for the Arts so much; now she wants to take singing lessons as well.”

"My son is ten years old and his name is Immanuel. We come to Mari's Place for the Arts so my son can take violin classes every Monday. My son stutters and takes a long time to say even small sentences. Mari's Place for the Arts is a place where he can do what he loves and receive the patience and teaching that is not available in other places. We are moving to Canada in December, but we are very thankful for all that Mari's Place for the Arts has done for us while we are here.”

"I bring my daughter to Mari's Place for the Arts because she likes to come and learn how to play guitar. She can come and play guitar and talk with people and have fun. More than anything, it’s for the happiness in her eyes when she is playing guitar. We are very grateful for this place because financially we can’t afford for her to learn to play guitar anywhere else. We both love Mari's Place for the Arts and hope that we can continue to come. I like very much how the music helps my daughter. When she’s sad, she plays the guitar. It helps her a lot.”

"I have a daughter and a niece who are both seven years old, and they love coming to Mari's Place for the Arts every Wednesday to dance. They want to do performance acting and singing next year. I’m a single father, and I’m taking care of my daughter. I work construction and I don’t have enough money to take my daughter out to movies or have much fun. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have Mari's Place for the Arts open so my daughter can have this experience for free. It’s wonderful.”

"I bring my children here so they can learn things about life, and how to do many things including violin and guitar. These children will become the leaders of our community and they need culture. They love to come to Mari's Place for the Arts. I help at Mari's Place for the Arts because I like to help the kids. They need the opportunity to learn and enjoy culture. I know that Mary needs help, so I help out as often as I can. When I can, I bring Mary and other volunteers food so I can contribute to the community. I also do a lot of other chores to try and keep Mari's Place for the Arts up and running.”

"Hello! during the pandemic, my children do not have many resources outside of school online to enrich their lives. A friend gave me information about Mari’s Place for the Arts. To my surprise, from the first class my 4 children were enthusiastic and happy to learn something new. We create our special hour called Miss Mary. I learned together with my children, for more than 28 months to live in harmony maybe for one hour. Gracias."

"Oceano has emotion dysregulation, expressive and receptive language delay and is being evaluated for ADHD & Autism. Just a head's up that he's a perfectionist and needs a reminder that Art doesn't need to be perfect. He is great art though and I am hoping to see his confidence boost knowing he's good at it. Océano has some learning & emotional regulation issues that keep him from getting to enjoy team sports or similar group activities like his peers do. But he seems to excel in the arts and it brings him pride. Originally his behavior therapy appts were on Tuesdays, so I didn't sign up sooner so I understand if it's full."

"Since an even younger age, Benjamin has always found joy in using his incredible imagination to doodle and create comics and stories of his own. Near daily, you can find him in his "art corner" creating something new- whether a story/comic, board game, signs/maps, or simple drawings. He is currently part of the HiCap program and is a very intelligent child. I think that allowing him to further expand his potential in the arts while he has a fire/passion for it, will only prove to grow his love of the arts for the future. Benjamin someday wants to become a published author/illustrator, just like his favorite author Dav Pilkey. If the opportunity is still available for Benjamin to explore, I think this would be a fabulous experience for him to develop new skills, techniques, and fun! Thank you!"

"She's demonstrated passion and commitment specifically to everything relate to Art. Student also represent a potentially good return on your investment, she's self-motivated and hard worker."

"Phaith is very smart and mature when it comes to school I want her to learn it's ok to make mistakes and just have fun not every day needs to be serious I want a goofy side of her to show and bring her out of her shell this year is her last at her elementary. "

"Ethan really enjoy arts and it's helping him to express himself and can focus longer than doing other activities. He is very shy and I can see he is improving with his social skills"