The Early Years

The Academy of Realist Art (as Gage was originally named) started as a workshop-based art school, and began with summer workshops in Sante Fe. By the early 1990s, the program had grown so much that co-founder Gary Faigin was conducting programs in Sante Fe, New York and Seattle.

In 1996, founders Gary and Pamela Belyea decided to curb the school's migratory existence and focus on building the art academy in Seattle.

By 1999, the school was offering more than 100 classes and workshops each year, had begun a youth program and an international tour series, expanded into sculpting, and even won the Mayor's Small Business Award.

Featured in this scrapbook on Flickr are pictures from the first 10 years of Gage history. Visit often, as more pictures will be added throughout the year.

Drawing Jam History

Gage takes special pride in its amazing community events and, in particular, its flagship event, the Drawing Jam. This event has grown from a small gathering to a major event drawing more than 1,000 people to the school to create art for 12 exciting hours every year on the first Saturday in December.

The event is so popular, in fact, that Bumbershoot invited the school to bring the Drawing Jam on the road to the Seattle Music & Arts Festival for two years in a row. There, nearly 10,000 people each year were introduced to artmaking and Gage.

In this scrapbook, see a selection of photos from Drawing Jams past!

Best of Gage History

Begun as the Student Show with dozens of artworks, this yearly event celebrates a year of artistic creativity and intensive study at Gage.

Now called Best of Gage, the show features between 150 to 200 pieces of art and welcomes more than 600 guests to the event.

Starting in 2009, Best of Gage even features artwork for sale for affordable prices.

In this scrapbook, see a selection of photos from Best of Gage events past!