About Mayest Collective · Seattle
Mayest Arts Collective is a nonprofit woodshop, art space, and community center located in Seattle’s Seward Park neighborhood. Founded in 2025 by Sam and Anna Adler, it offers hands-on classes in woodworking, plumbing, electrical work, and art projects designed to build skills, foster creativity, and connect people through collaborative making. The space emphasizes accessibility, inclusivity, and joyful learning, welcoming all community members regardless of background or experience. It also serves as a hub for neighborhood engagement and supports low-income and marginalized groups by breaking down barriers to art and skill-building.
Mayest Arts Collective is a nonprofit community arts and woodworking center in Seattle’s Seward Park neighborhood, founded in 2025 by Sam and Anna Adler. It provides accessible, hands-on classes in woodworking, hand lettering, Ukrainian straw weaving, plumbing, electrical basics, and more — designed to build practical skills, foster creativity, and connect people through collaborative art-making. The space emphasizes accessibility, inclusivity, and joyful learning, with financial support options for those in need. It also serves as a community hub, encouraging connection, playfulness, and the celebration of handmade work. The founders, both architects by training, opened the space to the public in 2024 after years of creating furniture and sculptures together. Cory Sbarbaro serves as acting executive director, helping establish the nonprofit’s infrastructure and operations. The name 'Mayest' is inspired by John Steinbeck’s 'East of Eden,' symbolizing self-determination and the freedom to be good, not perfect.
- In business
- since 2025
- Owner
- Sam and Anna Adler
- Serves
- Seattle’s Seward Park neighborhood
Our Mission
MAC is a nonprofit woodshop for those looking to explore arts and crafts or learn a new skill. We offer a high-quality training environment with first-rate equipment and safe, supportive instruction.
- To foster creativity and exploration in an environment that welcomes mistakes and gentle learning
- To provide homeowner retention skills (i.e., 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
Our Core Values
- Accessibility
- Creativity
- Connection
- Fun
The Story Behind Our Name
The name Mayest is a reference to John Steinbeck’s East of Eden—a book that holds a lot of meaning for both of MAC's founders. It’s presented as an alternate translation: “thou mayest” rather than “thou shalt.” It’s a book about self-determination, containing one of Steinbeck's most well-known quotes: “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” It's a reminder to ourselves that we all have the freedom to do with our lives what we choose, and that to fail is human. It's also a reminder that we shouldn't hold ourselves to a standard of perfection in our work.