Mission & History

young students sitting around a table working with watercolors, led by a student teacher

Our community art studio, Art Lab Everett, offers on-site classes and self-guided artmaking opportunities for all ages through a variety of programming. Our off-site enrichment programs bring artmaking workshops to local schools, organization, and public events.

group of adutls around a table weaving yarn

Mission

Arts for Everett, Inc. supports the growth and development of the arts in Everett by providing physical space for artmaking, hosting community arts events, and collaborating with local organizations throughout Greater Boston.

Vision

  • Inclusive Access: Everyone deserves consistent access to the arts, regardless of ability to pay.

  • Creative Expression: Opportunities for individuals to explore and express their creativity are essential.

  • Human Connection: Meaningful connections are created through shared artistic experiences.

  • Community Well-Being: The arts support the health and vitality of our broader community.

  • Healthy Lifestyles: Creativity increases personal wellness and development.

brick outside of Art Lab's building

History

Art Lab Everett began with a vision: to create a welcoming, inclusive space for artmaking in a city where community arts opportunities were virtually nonexistent. 

In early 2020, founder Martha Chason-Sokol and her husband discovered a unique building in Everett—a former pharmacy, library branch, and upholstery shop—with light-filled windows and a garage door that made it perfect for a creative hub. By August 2021, Art Lab Everett opened its doors with a pop-up exhibition in the Garage Door Gallery, launching a new chapter in the city's cultural life. Despite pandemic-era challenges, the lab quickly became a vibrant space for creativity, connection, and public programming.

Arts For Everett, the nonprofit behind Art Lab Everett, was established in 2021 to fill a critical gap in accessible, community-based arts engagement. With a focus on inclusivity, the organization created a space where residents of all ages, identities, and income levels could explore art without financial barriers. Over time, Art Lab Everett has evolved into a community connector—hosting hands-on workshops, exhibitions, open houses, and neighborhood festivals. From its earliest days, the organization has prioritized equity and creativity as tools for individual and collective empowerment.

While Art Lab Everett has always served a broad and diverse community, recent years have brought an increased focus on youth development and enrichment. Through partnerships with the City of Everett and Everett High School, The Lab supports paid youth employment, creative mentoring, and leadership training. Youth workers explore every facet of the organization—from marketing and teaching to group facilitation and administration—building skills and confidence along the way. Since 2021, Arts For Everett has reached over 4,000 residents, partnered with more than 20 local organizations, and secured generous support from funders like the Mass Cultural Council, Cummings Foundation, Everett Cultural Council, Everett Bank, and Combined Jewish Philanthropies.