Today we’d like to introduce you to MarLa Love 🩷.
Hi MarLa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began my journey over 30 years ago with a deep passion for art and a calling to use it as a vessel for inspiration, faith, and empowerment. I recently founded Art Heart SLC, a vibrant art studio that serves children, adults, and corporations through creative experiences that nourish the soul.
Along the way, I have worn many hats—artist, entrepreneur, mother, educator, and mentor. I have navigated the ups and downs of running a business, balancing work and family life, and adapting to the ever-changing dynamics of our local community. Through it all, my faith and unwavering belief in the power of creativity have been my compass.
Every program we offer—whether after-school art, summer camps, corporate team-building, eclectic art events, or public art installations—is rooted in a vision to inspire, uplift, and unite.
Today, Art Heart SLC is more than a studio—it is a movement. A movement that believes art is essential, that creativity builds confidence, and that every brushstroke holds the power to transform. My story is still unfolding, but it will always be grounded in love, faith, legacy, and the belief that art can change lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not always been a smooth road. Like most meaningful journeys, mine has been filled with highs and lows. As a mother and entrepreneur, balancing the demands of raising children in my own while building a business has stretched me in every way imaginable. There were seasons of financial uncertainty, moments of self-doubt, and times when the weight of it felt overwhelming.
Inflation, ongoing construction, and 4 school closures in our city presented real obstacles to sustaining our programs and maintaining growth. I had to pivot quickly, adapt creatively, and lead with both heart and strategy.
But through every challenge, my faith was strengthened, my vision refined, and my purpose reaffirmed. What kept me going was knowing that Art Heart SLC was bigger than me—it was a calling.
Community has been my anchor. I leaned on friends in the industry, colleagues who became family, and mentors whose wisdom helped guide me. The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program equipped me with powerful tools and a renewed mindset to navigate the toughest seasons.
Every struggle reminded me that art heals, community uplifts, and faith truly makes the impossible possible.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create transformative art experiences that go beyond the canvas. I specialize in designing programs for children, families, and corporations that use art as a tool for connection, healing, confidence-building, and cultural education. From after-school classes and summer camps to public murals, corporate team-building events, and faith-centered workshops—we use creativity to inspire and empower.
One of my current projects is a public art commission for Tooele County—a painted buffalo sculpture that will be unveiled in May 2025 and permanently placed in front of the Tooele Library. This piece celebrates local community, landscape, and creation through art.
I am known for blending artistic excellence with heart-centered leadership. Our programs are rooted in storytelling, self-discovery, and community building. Whether it is a child picking up a paintbrush for the first time or a CEO participating in a creative leadership session, the goal is the same: to create a moment that inspires growth from the inside out.
What sets me apart is my ability to connect art with purpose. Every experience is created with intention—whether it is honoring heritage, encouraging self-expression, or promoting wellness. With over 30 years of experience as an artist and educator, I lead with authenticity, empathy, and a deep commitment to impact.
I am most proud of the lives we have touched—children growing in confidence, families connecting through creativity, and adults rediscovering their voice through art. That is what fuels my passion.
My daughters are my heart, my love, and my greatest inspiration. I do this for them—to show them what it looks like to pursue your dreams, to rise through hardship, and to lead with purpose. They have witnessed the challenges and the victories, and through it all, they have seen me stand firm in my vision. I have raised them with the support of friends and my parents, and I keep going because I want more children in Utah and beyond to experience what my daughters have—art that empowers, heals, and transforms. They are my why, my how, and my reason to never give up.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Most of my friends are business owners, which makes it easier to seek advice—they understand the mindset, the pressure, and the passion that comes with entrepreneurship. Some of my best mentors have come from simply showing up in the right rooms, leading with service, and building genuine relationships.
I have learned that mentorship does not always have to be formal. Sometimes it is a conversation over coffee, a quick message, or being part of a supportive community like the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.artheartslc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artheartmarla?igsh=MWIxaWpxZjhld2R4bw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557317158448
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-heart-slc/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtHeartSLC
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/artheartmarla?igsh=MWIxaWpxZjhld2R4bw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
