History
NEW LOCATION
Gage signs the lease for a new main location at 2105-2107 Westlake Ave. in South Lake Union.
NEW LEADERSHIP
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO) Executive Director, Kathleen Allen, accepts the position of Executive Director at Gage.
NEW TAS LOCATION
Gage introduces a new Teen Art Studio location at South Park.
NEW LEADERSHIP & PORTFOLIO PROGRAM
Bellevue Arts Museum Curator, Stefano Catalani, accepts the position of Executive Director at Gage. Gage launches new one year, portfolio-building program, Studio Arts Inten
MAJOR BENEFACTOR & GEORGETOWN ANNEX
Gage student, Anne Steele, pledges $1M in support of school’s educational programs. Gage opens new Annex in Georgetown with 2 ateliers, and adds sculpture atelier to Cap
NEW TAS LOCATION
Gage introduces a new Teen Art Studio location at Bellevue Art Museum.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Co-founder & ED, Pamela Belyea, steps down after 24 years. New Executive Director, Sheila Hughes, takes the administrative reins. Hughes leads the school for 2-1/2 y
GREAT BIG PEN!
Gage hosts Jim Woodring for his inaugural “Nibbus Maximus” demonstration to hundreds of curious spectators. The event is mentioned in “The Economist” and other media.
BUMBERSHOOT!
End-of-summer Drawing Jam @ Bumbershoot draws 10,000 visitors each year. Gage repeats the popular program the following year.
MORE ACCOLADES
Gage receives “Governor’s Art Award” for youth education programs.
NEW MONIKER & INSTRUCTOR SHOW
School changes name to Gage Academy of Art. Gage instructors exhibit their work at WA State Convention Center.
MOVE-IN
SAFA opens in St. Nicholas Building with 10,000 square foot facility including Library, Gallery, Student Lounge, 2 Ateliers (Faigin & Aristides), 2 Artist Studios, 7 Studio Clas
CAPITOL HILL FACILITY
SAFA board negotiates with St. Mark’s Cathedral for space in St. Nicholas Building Capitol Hill. Fundraising & renovations begin in Fall.
TEENS ‘R’ US
Teen Art Studios launched as a free, year-round, youth arts program to increase access to arts education for 1,500 King County youth ages 13-18. TAS welcomes all teens who wish to p
TRANSFORMATION!
Transformation! On January 1, Arts Education Northwest trustees “adopt” Academy of Realist Art & Young Artists Academy. Board files to change name of nonprofit to Seattle Academy of Fi
CONCEPTION OF THE GAGE ATELIERS
Juliette Aristides founded the Gage Atelier programs, serving as director of the Aristides Atelier until 2022.
FOUNDING BENEFACTOR
Philanthropist Ida Cole makes major donation to ensure successful launch of Seattle’s new visual arts non-profit.
ACCOLADES, NONPROFIT & MORE
ARA wins “Mayor’s Small Business Award.” Implementing a long-term plan to go non-profit. ARA opens “Studio Gallery” in Faigin’s Ballard studio and exhibits works of national
KIDS ‘R’ US
ARA launches “Young Artists Academy” offering summer teen workshops, soon followed by afterschool kid classes in NE & NW Seattle. Expanded youth programs continue the following summer
INTERNATIONAL TOURS & U-DISTRICT FACILITY
ARA presents first international Academy Art Tour to Paris; tour is sold out and 2nd is offered. Future art tour destinations include Florence, Venice, Rome, London, Madrid, Barcelona, Pra
NATIONAL TOURS
ARA presents first domestic Academy Art Tour to NYC. Future tours include Los Angeles, Portland, Detroit, & San Francisco.
LOCAL & NATIONAL EXPANSION
ARA presents drawing & painting workshops in Manhattan, California, and Washington State over the next 3 years. ARA rents part-time studios at University Heights Center in Seatt
NM & NW RELOCATION
ARA continues to offer summer programs in Santa Fe at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary untill 1995, and expands to NM sites in Taos, Grost Ranch, & Cimarron. ARA co-founders mo
BIRTH
ARA opens in Santa Fe at St. John’s College art studio with 2 workshops taught by Faigin. The workshops sold-out with students from across the country.
CONCEPTION
Artist-instructor, Gary Faigin, and New York based architect, Pamela Belyea, conceive of a new art school, Academy of Realist Art (ARA), and begin prep.