About US
OUR MISSION
Inspiring & Enabling the Arts in the Community & Classroom
"It is our joy to inspire and enable AZ Students' Passion for the arts through the gift of arts education and recycled Instruments."
In a time when the quality of education is judged by the strength of student test scores, Restore Arts serves to bring inspiration, passion, and imagination back into classrooms. The increased importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) topics within students’ education has overshadowed the equally important components of passion and imagination. We believe that students find passion in their education through the arts, whether they are music, visual arts, creative writing, or dramatic performance. Students in Arizona need and deserve the experience that art in the classroom creates, but fine arts are the most frequently cut and underserved classes when budgets run thin. Art and creative development can both advance academic achievement and improve life experiences in ways that test scores cannot. Restore Arts strives to use the experience of our Founders to create projects and programs that will use the arts to connect communities with classrooms and improve the life experiences of all students and community members involved.
Mary Lynn Kelly, Co-Founder
In 2013, Mary Lynn helped found Restore Arts in response to Arizona's ongoing need for a driving force behind arts integration and education. A graduate of the University of Georgia with additional studies at both Harvard and Oxford, Mary Lynn has leveraged her background in the arts and community involvement to help Arizona nonprofits and small businesses for nearly two decades. Through Restore Arts, Mary Lynn carries forward the spirit of her past successful initiatives, including heading the community coalition that raised $1.5M for the Challenger Space Center in Peoria, Arizona. Restore Arts allows her to leverage her experience as editor at Arizona Parenting magazine, and her influence as a longtime local on-air television contributor. She honed her skills in designing educational programs during a professional engagement with Game Truck Licensing, LLC. Mary Lynn expresses her passion for the arts on a personal level through her work as a painter and sculptor.
Herb Dougall III, Co-Founder (retired)
Focusing on critical development and improvement projects, Herb has 30 years of experience spearheading technical operations, and overseeing and supporting executive teams and business opportunities. As Vice President of Cox Communications, his dedication earned him national recognition for the successful management of Arizona strategy through strategic problem solving and collaboration. After retiring in 2008, Herb turned his energies to the nonprofit sector. Following his love of music and music education, he joined Ear Candy Charity as their Operations Director and developed an online instrument drive system to connect musical instrument donors with teachers and music programs in need. Since then he has continued to cultivate a positive community by staying active within both local and national non-profit sectors, most recently working with the Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers based in Exton, PA as a National Board member and Regional Director, and the Challenger Space Center located in Peoria, AZ, as President of the Board. Family demands have since taken priority over Herb's daily involvement with Restore Arts, though he remains a valued contributor and advisor.
Jon Frank, Piano repair professional
When I was about sixteen years of age, my father, who was a school teacher and part time piano tuner, taught me the skill of piano tuning and repair. After four years in the military during the Vietnam war era, I put myself through college with the help of the GI Bill and working as a piano technician. After teaching junior high math for a few years, I decided that teaching that subject to that age group just was not a good fit for me long term. So, I returned to the piano service business for about ten years. In 1980, I married and soon after started Jon Frank Piano Company. My wife, Betty, and I were soon operating two locations. In 1987, we decided to consolidate to one location and at the same time to expand our business to a full line music store called Harmony House. We sold band and orchestra instruments of all kinds, guitars, and printed music and also provided repairs and lessons. We continued to operate Harmony House for thirty-one years until our retirement in 2018. In all, I was involved in the music field here in the Valley for forty-seven years. I have been blessed to be a volunteer at Restore Arts since my retirement.
I am honored to serve as a volunteer and consultant for the noble work done for the community by this Arizona nonprofit. Restore Arts has my full endorsement for any arts program they hope to provide.
Restore Arts Team
Leslie Mercado - Accountant/Inventory Management
Jamie Morales - Technology Oversight
Liz Rodriguez - Public Relations
Faith Thompson - Social Media Management.
With gratitude to those serving as Advisors on our journey:
Wm. Timothy Sprague - Strategic Planning, Art and Financial Advise
Carolyn Sechler, Accounting and Business structure
John Kelly - Business Acumen and Policy Advisor
Lorri Acott - Sculpture and Business Enterprise
Katie Paetz - Education
Brad Harper - Strategic Vision
Mike O'Donnell - Concert and Event Management
Rebecca Flanagan-Lechuga - Community Engagement
Herb Dougall III - Co Founder
The FUSION Foundation - Fiscal Sponsor until 2019
Ian Johnston - Business development, Technology & Marketing
Caroline King - Business & Life Coach
Adam Goldfine - Film
Dave Binsfiled - Insurance, Growth & Develpolment
Restore Arts depends on instrument donations - Call 480-758-8001 to schedule a pickup or find a drop-off location.