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Variables is a registered 501(c)(3) offering creative art events in Portland, OR.
We provide opportunities for adults to make art, play, rediscover their inner child, and reconnect with themselves and their community.
Our Philosophy
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Art is for everyone!
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It's about the process, not the product.
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The art experience is for you, no one else. No one can tell you what is right or wrong, good or bad. Ignore anyone who ever told you that you can’t make art. Your opinion is the only one that matters!
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No skills are necessary, just a willingness to play and discover. Show up as you are.


​Why is creativity important?
Creative practices can improve attention and cognition, reduce anxiety and depression, strengthen social connections and resilience, and enhance happiness & overall quality of life.
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A regular art practice allows us to release excess energy, emotional steam and burdens we might not even realize we’re carrying. It allows us to connect with ourselves and remember who we are, giving us ground to stand on and allowing us to release what no longer serves us.

Meet the Founder
Mary Hlastala is the Founder and Executive Director of Variables. She studied Illustration and Design at the Art Institute of Atlanta before earning a B.S. in Mathematics from Portland State University. She spent six years running a non-profit mentoring girls in mathematics through creative, art-based workshops and opened Variables in 2022 to create a space where art connects people to their community.