- 2026-08-19
New Pathways at Gage
Most of us didn't learn to make art in a straight line. We picked things up here and there, from a workshop, a favorite teacher, a video, a friend. That variety is part of what makes a creative life rich, and every artist unique. At Gage we offer a whole host of classes hoping to train artists in a variety of subjects and styles. All of this variety may at times seem a little daunting.
The question: where do I start, what class should I do next?
Where to Begin as an Artist
For those just starting out, or for those for whom its been a minute, we always recommend our popular Core Drawing program. In Core Drawing, It all Starts here, and the follow-on programs, People Places and Things, essential skills and practices common to most observational artistic disciplines are clearly laid out. Virtually, all follow on classes in painting, sculpture, and printmaking all naturally build upon these practices with their own sets of core skills.
This year we are excited to announce an expansion of our Core Drawing Program, building upon it with Core Painting, Core Color and Core Figure. These are all ground level classes for each discipline. So, if you have ever felt attracted to but daunted by Painting, curious but confused about Color, or just want some solid guidance on Figure work… these classes offer you clear direct pathways into these rich artistic disciplines.
We are also delighted to introduce a course on Creativity as a practice and way of thinking that spans all disciplines, artistic, personal, and professional. the Seminar Series is an approachable primer on ways to think about art and creative practices in general. Finally, we are pleased to announce the long-anticipated Youth Atelier. Joining our flagship adult Atelier Program, this is an opportunity for teens to really lock in the skills and habits that make the biggest difference for a lifetime of artistic work.
These New Pathways at Gage represent our continued commitment to offering you the strongest and most accessible artistic education we can, to help you to take you from where you are to where you want to be.
Core Pathways Expansion
From Drawing to Painting, whether in water or oil, working with Figures or understanding Color, within all these disciplines there are core concepts and practices that every artist needs to know. The Core curriculum gives you clear and easy to understand and apply these essential skills and gets you on your path to making great art.
New Pathways expands new ground-level pathways, one for each discipline:
- Core Figure - The Core Painting Pathway is a series of introductory courses designed to equip all students with the essential technical and observational skills required for representational painting. Students will discover how to mix, manipulate, and apply paint—one of the most versatile of artistic mediums
- Core Painting - The Painting Pathway is a series of introductory courses designed to equip all students with the essential technical and observational skills required for representational painting. Students will discover how to mix, manipulate, and apply paint—one of the most versatile of artistic mediums.
- Core Color - The Core Color Pathway is a series of classes designed to introduce students to the language of color. These courses build a practical understanding of color theory as a foundation for creating meaningful images.
If you've felt drawn to painting but daunted by it, curious about color but unsure where to begin, or you just want solid guidance on the figure, these pathways give you a clear way in.
From here, more focused study in each medium opens up.
Fall 2026 Classes:
- Core Drawing: It All Starts Here
- Core Drawing: Things
- Core Painting: The Painter's Tool Kit
- Core Figure: Approaches to the Lay-In
- Core Color: The Structure of Color
Art Seminar
This monthly hybrid seminar will introduce and unpack core concepts and practices in critical thinking as relates to artistic practice and production.
The course will consist of review and open discussion around readings, videos, and other resources. The Seminar is an offering for all atelier students and open all members of the Gage community who are interested in diving deeper into what makes great artwork tick.
Class will meet on the second Tuesday of the month, 6:30 - 8pm and be hybrid, that is both in person and remote.
- Location: Gage SLU - 2107 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA
- Media Room and Online virtually via Zoom.
- Time: 6:30pm - 8pm
Creativity Series with Bruce Morser
“Creativity is hard to locate, difficult to pin down. Its source is everywhere … like vague flashes of lightning through a dense evening fog.” – This series will demystify the processes that encourages human creativity.
A New Path for Teens: The Youth Atelier
Finally, we're proud to introduce the long-anticipated Youth Atelier. Joining our flagship adult Atelier program, this intensive is built for teen artists ages 15 to 18 who are ready to deepen their skills, strengthen their studio practice, and explore what it means to grow as an artist.
Find your Starting Point
New Pathways at Gage reflects a belief at the heart of everything we do: artists are made, not born. Wherever you are in your creative life, there's a clear, accessible path forward.
Explore the pathways and find your first class at www.gageacademy.org/newpathways.