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Our History
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Nov
2023NEW LOCATION
Gage signs the lease for a new main location at 2105-2107 Westlake Ave. in South Lake Union.
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Jul
2022NEW LEADERSHIP
Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO) Executive Director, Kathleen Allen, accepts the position of Executive Director at Gage.
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Jan
2022NEW TAS LOCATION
Gage introduces a new Teen Art Studio location at South Park.
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Jan
2016NEW 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 Intensive. -
Oct
2015MAJOR 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 Capitol Hill campus. -
Jan
2015NEW TAS LOCATION
Gage introduces a new Teen Art Studio location at Bellevue Art Museum.
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Jan
2013CHANGING 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 years and leaves to become Director of Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. -
Jun
2011GREAT 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.
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Feb
2008BUMBERSHOOT!
End-of-summer Drawing Jam @ Bumbershoot draws 10,000 visitors each year. Gage repeats the popular program the following year.
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Sep
2007MORE ACCOLADES
Gage receives “Governor’s Art Award” for youth education programs.
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Dec
2006NEW MONIKER & INSTRUCTOR SHOW
School changes name to Gage Academy of Art.
Gage instructors exhibit their work at WA State Convention Center. -
Jan
2004MOVE-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 Classrooms and expanded Offices. In the Fall, KangO’Higgins Atelier opens.
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Feb
2003CAPITOL HILL FACILITY
SAFA board negotiates with St. Mark’s Cathedral for space in St. Nicholas Building Capitol Hill. Fundraising & renovations begin in Fall.
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Sep
2002TEENS ‘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 participate.
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Aug
2000TRANSFORMATION!
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 Fine Art (SAFA). SAFA receives its 501(c)(3) status in March.
SAFA presents first Family Art Tour to Paris with future tours to London & Paris II. SAFA hosts first Drawing Jam which becomes the school’s major annual public event. -
Jan
2000CONCEPTION OF THE GAGE ATELIERS
Juliette Aristides founded the Gage Atelier programs, serving as director of the Aristides Atelier until 2022.
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Mar
1999FOUNDING BENEFACTOR
Philanthropist Ida Cole makes major donation to ensure successful launch of Seattle’s new visual arts non-profit.
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Jan
1998ACCOLADES, 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 artist-instructors during their Seattle programs. The Gallery closes after 18 months.
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Nov
1997KIDS ‘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 and continue to present.
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Dec
1995INTERNATIONAL 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, Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Amsterdam in Europe, plus Vancouver BC and Mexico City.
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Sep
1994NATIONAL TOURS
ARA presents first domestic Academy Art Tour to NYC. Future tours include Los Angeles, Portland, Detroit, & San Francisco.
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May
1992LOCAL & 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 Seattle.
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Nov
1991NM & 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 move to Seattle.
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Jan
1990BIRTH
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.
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Feb
1989CONCEPTION
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.
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