The Gage Way
Letter from Kathleen Allen, Executive Director | June 10, 2026
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Last year, as many of you know, we lost our dear colleague Gary Faigin, co-founder and artistic director emeritus of Gage. We celebrated Gary’s legacy most recently at our annual Collectors’ Gala and Art Auction. At the event, I had the opportunity to moderate a panel of people representing the many aspects of Gage. One of those very important people is Mike Magrath, Sculpture Atelier Director who is now serving as Gage’s Artistic Director. In this Spring 2026 issue of the Leadership Letter I am very pleased to have Mike share his artistic vision for Gage, one which is informed by his many years as Gary’s close colleague.
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"A mastery of observation, craft, and design will benefit the work no matter what its exact nature, as art history has repeatedly shown. Gage instructors are aware of both the history of traditional artwork and skills, as well as the myriad and creative challenges to this tradition represented by the art of recent times."
-Gary Faigin, The Gage Way
Artistic Vision
This year as we celebrate the life and vision of Gary Faigin, we also take time to reflect upon the core artistic principles on which this school was founded and consider how we can build upon them. These values underlie the how, why and what of Gage and help to guide our path forward. With Gary's passing, it is on us to steward these values and be sure that they remain at the heart of what we do and aspire to be.
Gage is not an aesthetic; we have no house style. Whether as artists we engage with the most pressing issues of our day or lovingly render the timeless, beautiful thing—figurative, representational, abstract, classical, contemporary doesn’t really matter. What unites us is dedication to craft, a well-seen and rendered thing. Art is a source of enrichment for our lives and those around us. We aim to help artists find their own voice in the way best suited to their purpose.
The Gage Way
To help “artists find their own voice in the way best suited to their purpose", we invite you to consider a gift during the May GiveBIG season, when many in our community choose to give. Your support honors Gary, Mike, and all the extraordinary Gage instructors who guide students along the Gage Way.
Warmly,
Kathleen Allen
Executive Director, Gage Academy of Art
P.S. Please join us at our annual Best of Gage on Friday, June 12. We’ll honor our graduating atelier students and all the students who submit their work to this year-end juried exhibition. Plus, a Best of Gary exhibition will be on view in the Raynier Gallery honoring his artistic vision.