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About

Our Story

Tracy's actually started as Tracy's Place. It started with a dream that Mary-Ruth Tracy had. She wanted to create a space where people could gather, connect, and reconnect with their creative selves. Tracy’s Place was founded on being comfortable, cozy, and inviting. As planning began Mary-Ruth wanted to provide a launching pad for people to explore new art forms and hobbies. Knowing that it is expensive to do it at home.

Wondering how's Tracy’s Place became the name for a wonderful studio? Mary and co- owner Jeff had three teenage girls. One night whilst they giggled among themselves about the craziness of having 3 teenage girls at once, they started proclaiming that they were Tracy’s Bank, Tracy’s cab, Tracy’s Buffet. They both realized that the name for their new business has to be Tracy's Place. 

Tracy's Place began as just an art studio that offered a few adult beverages; but quickly turned into a coffee shop and an art studio combination. The combination of the two industries is a beautiful one. 

In early 2020 Mary-Ruth decided that they needed more room for their business. It was rough getting a new studio during a world pandemic but they succeeded! The new location is PERFECT! Many use the space for work, school and meetings. Yet, art classes still take place and parties are a very common occurrence.  

Alas, the pandemic of 2020 and the inflation late in 2021 and the war in 2022 made it difficult to keep a brick and mortar business going, So Jeff and Mary-Ruth closed the doors on their Coffee shop. They now run an AirBnB and do traveling art classes.  They have re-branded, again, to Tracy's Traveling Art. 

Mary-Ruth now paints windows, seasonally for businesses around the Denver Metro area. She is also expanding into murals for her customers.  

Mary-Ruth is a very patient and kind teacher, she loves expanding her own talents with each new challenge.  Going to different places is actually fun and an exciting new adventure. But don't take our word for it, book her for your next event. 

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OUR TEAM

Mary-Ruth Tracy - Owner and Instructor

 Mary-Ruth Tracy's story starts when she was a kid. She would watch and learn as her mom painting on anything and everything she could get her hands on. The passion for art and creating beautiful things came naturally to Mary-Ruth, since her mom and grandparents were also very creative and artistic.  

  Mary-Ruth has become very proficient in teaching art to people of all walks of life. With her years of working in retail and service jobs, she has achieved excellent people skills. The combination of being a creative person and her love of people is how we now have Tracy's in Arvada. 

  In fact, Mary-Ruth would have big parties at her house where her friends and family would come over and just craft or work on different art, for hours. One afternoon, her and her sister were drinking a nice cup of coffee talking about opening a studio for families and friends so they have a place to be artistically inspired.

  With her husband Jeff by her side, Mary-Ruth began the work of preparing to become an owner of a paint and wine studio. The work was long and sometimes hard, albeit was worth every single sleepless night. With a great deal of hard work; August 5, 2016 was the day that her dream finally came true.

 Mrs. Tracy worked hard to have a business where she welcomes her guests, as if they are at a friends house. The same feeling as when she hosted the crafting parties. She had trained her staff to always be welcoming to our guests as well. 

  The core of her business is to help people reconnect or connect completely with each other and with their creative nature. In February of 2019 we added coffee shop to our repertoire at Tracy's Place. The combination of coffee scents in the air and the fun projects, grew Mary-Ruth's business to be come an award winning place to gather in Arvada. 

   In July of 2020, right in the middle of a world wide pandemic, Mary-Ruth and Jeff Tracy moved their coffee, wine and art business into a bigger better location (just around the corner from their first business home). With faith and grit, they became a prominent couple in the community. Mary-Ruth is very involved with several networking groups as well as Chambers of Commerce. She can often be seen at several community events, whether offering her services, or just heartfelt support. 

   In February of 2022, Mr. and Mrs. Tracy made the toughest decision of their lives. They closed the brick and mortar coffee shop on 88th and Wadsworth. Too many factors came into play to keep the doors open. 

    NOW, they travel. Mary-Ruth still teaches painting and art. It just looks different, as it is now in her guests homes. She is now the guest and teaching art with the same smile and heart as before. 

 That my friends, is how Mary-Ruth Tracy became the owner of Tracy's Traveling Art.

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Jeff Tracy - Owner

Jeff works many jobs while supporting Mary-Ruth and the growth of Tracy's. He would go in on his days off and in the evenings when classes were booked. He helps serve and maintain the high quality customer service that they are known for. With a sense of humor and a little teasing he keeps every guest smiling. He provides support and encouragement to their guests, as well as Mary-Ruth. 

Jeff has a degree in environmental sustainability from Echo Tech of Colorado. However, he chose to stay close to home and is working for the United States Postal Service. He is enjoying it, and the commute very much. He has two other side businesses that he is simultaneously growing along with Tracy's. Jeff is an entrepreneur with a heart of gold.

Not the painter of the family, but still very creative in helping to paint many of the "couples" paintings available. As well as many of the "Beaded Tree of Life" samples that we have. Jeff really enjoys the string art projects the most though. Being the only guy most of the time, we think it has to do with the hammer and nails... very manly. 

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 Welcome!
Tracy's take the 
pain out of
painting!

~ $45 ea
~ 4 people minimum
~Choose which painting you want
~We provide all you need

 

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