Mayest Arts Collective

Mission

MAC exists:

• To foster creativity and exploration in an environment that welcomes mistakes and gentle learning.
• To provide homeowner retention skills (for example: basic plumbing, electrical, and repair skills).
• To create a community-driven space where individuals can connect, collaborate, and share their work.
• To break down financial, social, and systemic barriers that prevent low-income and marginalized groups from accessing art spaces and resources.
• To give people the opportunity to work with their hands and escape screens.

Core values

• Accessibility – MAC strives to be accessible, inclusive, and helpful to every member of the community.
• Creativity – Imagination and inventiveness are always encouraged.
• Connection – More than just a woodshop, MAC is a space where collaborative art-making brings people together.
• Fun – Playfulness, joy, and whimsy are celebrated in MAC's work and classes.

Story and founders

• Mayest Arts Collective was founded by Sam and Anna Adler, a married couple with backgrounds in architecture, woodworking, and sculpture.
• They began creating sculptures and furniture together in 2020 and opened MAC's doors to students in 2024.
• MAC is named after the phrase "thou mayest" ("mayest") from John Steinbeck's *East of Eden*, emphasizing self-determination, learning through mistakes, and letting go of perfectionism.

Leadership and instructors

• MAC's acting executive director is Cory Sbarbaro, who leads finance, HR, technology, administration, and organizational growth.
• Instructors at MAC are working artists and woodworkers who teach from real studio experience and focus on warm, accessible, skill-building instruction at every level.

• MAC is located between the Lakewood and Seward Park neighborhoods of South Seattle.
• The space shares a building with Cafe Vita and The Seattle Light Room and is directly across the street from Third Place Books.

Parking

• Parking is available along Wilson Ave S.
• Additional parking is available behind the building on 51st Ave S.
• Visitors are asked not to park in the Third Place Books/Chuck's Hop Shop parking lot.

Transit

• MAC is a short walk from the Wilson Ave S and S Dawson St stop on King County Metro bus line #50.

Accessibility notes

• If you have questions about accessibility, parking, or transit options, contact MAC at hello@mayestarts.org or call (206) 486-0085.

Lists Eden, Wilson, Mission, Uptown, Lakewood, and Seattle as a location. Names Seattle as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

• MAC's programming is supported by donations, which helps keep base class fees lower for all participants.
• Additional financial support is available for individuals for whom class fees are still a barrier.

Available discount levels

MAC currently offers three levels of financial support on class fees:

• 25% discount.
• 50% discount.
• 75% discount.

Participants should select the level that best aligns with their personal needs and circumstances.

How to apply discounts

• Discounts are applied during online registration via promo codes.
• To receive a discount, enter one of the following codes in the Promo Code field at checkout:
• community25 for a 25% discount.
• community50 for a 50% discount.
• community75 for a 75% discount.

Limits on discounted registrations

• Individual participants may enroll in up to three discounted classes per calendar year.

Where to see current prices

• Current prices for each class are listed on that class's page in the online registration system.
• If you have questions about cost or financial support options, contact MAC at hello@mayestarts.org.

• Email: hello@mayestarts.org
• Phone: (206) 486-0085
• Address: 5044 Wilson Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118

You can also use the contact form on the website to send questions or comments.

Private classes and group events

Mayest Arts Collective offers private classes for a variety of occasions, such as:

• Team-building events.
• Birthday celebrations.
• Other custom group gatherings.

To inquire about a private class:

• Use the "Book a private class" option or contact form on the website, or
• Email hello@mayestarts.org with details about your group size, preferred dates, and what you hope to learn or create.

MAC staff will follow up to discuss options and availability.

• Unless otherwise noted in a specific class description, MAC classes are open to everyone.
• Most classes do not require prior experience; beginners are welcome.
• Any prerequisites or required prior skills are listed on the individual class page.

Age requirements

• In general, classes are open to ages 16 and up, unless otherwise noted.
• Youth ages 16–17 must be registered by a parent or guardian.

Refund and cancellation policy

• Refunds (minus a $10 processing fee) are available for cancellations made at least 72 hours before the class start time.
• To cancel a registration, email hello@mayestarts.org.

Food and drinks in the workshop

• Participants are welcome to bring food and drinks.
• Beverages should have lids.
• Please keep food minimally messy to protect tools, materials, and shared spaces.

Safety guidelines (tools and equipment)

For classes that involve using tools and equipment, MAC emphasizes safety and may include the following expectations:

• Plan to arrive a few minutes before class starts. For safety and instructional reasons, participants generally cannot join more than 10 minutes after a class has begun.
• Safety glasses are provided for all participants; you may bring your own if you prefer.
• Hearing protection is strongly encouraged for classes that use saws or other loud equipment; hearing protection is provided, or you may bring your own.
• Clothing and hair:
• Do not wear dangling jewelry or baggy clothing.
• Closed-toe shoes are required; sandals are not permitted.
• Long hair must be tied back.

Questions not covered here

If you have a question that is not answered in this FAQ or on a class page:

• Email hello@mayestarts.org.
• Or call (206) 486-0085.

Who classes are for

• Most classes are open to ages 16 and up unless noted otherwise.
• Adults 18+ and youth ages 16–17 can participate; youth registrations must be completed by a parent or guardian.
• Classes are designed for all skill levels, including complete beginners.

Class categories

MAC organizes classes into several categories:

• Skill development – Focus on learning specific skills and safe use of tools. These classes are hands-on but typically do not include a finished project to take home (for example, router basics or table saw basics).
• Project creation – Focus on learning tools and techniques while completing a project to take home (for example, tables and benches, cutting boards, boxes, lamps, step stools, and similar projects).
• Instructional lecture – Lectures and demonstrations without hands-on activities (for example, plumbing basics or introduction to electrical).
• Community social – Simple crafts and activities focused on building connection and community. Materials are provided, and participants are welcome to come and go.

Types of skills and projects

Examples of topics covered in MAC classes include:

• Woodworking fundamentals (boxes, cutting boards, picture frames, tables and benches, step stools, divided boxes).
• Tool-specific skills (circular saw use, table saw bootcamp, router basics, and other shop tools).
• Home maintenance skills (plumbing basics, introduction to electrical, and related topics).
• Creative and decorative arts (hand lettering and sign painting, paper creatures, Ukrainian straw weaving, and other community art activities).

How to see upcoming classes

• Upcoming classes and detailed descriptions (including topics, tools used, skill level, and safety notes) are listed on the MAC class calendar and individual class pages on the website.
• Registration and payment for classes are completed through the online registration system linked from the class calendar.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.