New "Branch" of Marie's Lending Library Opens at College of Marin
Thank you so much for your generous support of Tentacles & Wings and our 5th Anniversary event earlier this year! Your generosity has made an immediate and profound difference for College of Marin art students. We are delighted to announce that a new “branch” of Marie’s Lending Library has opened for Painting and Drawing classes at both the Kentfield and Indian Valley campuses. In total, your generosity has brought 18 new brushes to the classroom collection, now available for every student to use during class. We can now assemble full brush sets for students to check out, safely stored in Richeson cloth brush rolls. We have also added essential tools for Printmaking: 5 E.C. Lyons Twisted Etching Needles and 5 UJ Ramelson Hollow Scrapers. For Painting, we've acquired 15 Anderson & Sons Stainless Steel Airtight 8 oz brush washers, 34 Richeson cloth brush rolls, 10 Jasart 20x30cm white wooden Rectangle Painting Palettes, 14 Richeson 9x12in rectangle wooden painting palettes, and 20 Richeson Italian #836 palette knives. All of those supplies have become part of the Painting classroom’s branch of Marie’s Lending Library.
These valuable resources not only make hands-on learning accessible
to every student, regardless of personal circumstance, but also
nurture their sense of belonging and creativity.
Faculty members share about the positive impact of Marie’s Lending Library:
“Last week in my drawing course, a student approached me at the end of class, visibly worried about her midterm project. She had just learned from a fellow student that Marie’s Library could help her, as she desperately needed a ruler and a portfolio to protect her work from the rain. New to college and still adjusting, she hadn’t fully understood how Marie’s Library worked—nor could she afford any of the required art materials. When I assured her that Marie’s Library was available to all art students and provided her with a ruler, portfolio, and a drawing board, her gratitude was overwhelming. She was nearly in tears, relieved that her midterm project could make it home safely and that she’d have the tools she needed to succeed.”
“In my painting course yesterday, Marie’s box of art supplies has become part of our classroom’s paint library. During a demonstration, I used Marie's oil paint for a student who cannot afford her own. Afterward, I gave her the paint to use for her midterm piece. When her work was shared at critique, the class praised her painting—giving her the confidence she’s struggled to find. Hearing their support brought her to tears, a powerful moment for all of us.”
“One student used three of these new brushes in a new large portrait she was working on, as she cannot afford such brushes herself. While working with her directly, I watched her deftly paint an eyebrow in a single stroke of the brush in a way that no poor-quality brush could accomplish. She finished painting the face and was so pleased with the result that she remarked, “This painting is turning out so well that I can’t believe I painted this! I think I might be able to call myself an ‘artist’ now...” The quality materials made possible by your donations and support contributed to her success. The new brushes in Marie’s Library contributed to not only her handsome painting, but to her re-evaluation of her identity as an artist.”
These student experiences are reminders of how your support is changing lives—removing obstacles, nurturing confidence, and helping students realize their creative potential. Thank you for believing in our mission and for removing barriers to student success through your generosity.
We rely on your support to continue our mission of expanding access to art education and to offer scholarships to aspiring artists in the Science Illustration program at California State University Monterey Bay. The Science Illustration Certificate program at CSUMB is recognized as one of the most prestigious programs of its kind in the nation. It prepares students for dynamic careers that blend art and science and aims to foster scientific literacy and environmental stewardship through powerful visual storytelling.
The impact of your generosity is reflected in the ongoing success and growth of the scholarship program, and is deeply appreciated by the students whose opportunities have grown thanks to your commitment. Your support has helped expand the program, increasing the number and amount of scholarships offered to students in this program.
Marie’s memory continues to be honored by your ongoing support, and our mission of broadening access to art education and science illustration remains stronger than ever. In recognition of the giving spirit of the holiday season and the upcoming Giving Tuesday we are asking for your support once more. If you wish to support our programs please make a secure donation here. We cannot continue our work without you!
