By Patricia Belyea
SEATTLE WA Just over 30 years ago, my twin sister and her husband moved to Seattle with their 6-month-old daughter. Pamela Belyea and Gary Faigin bought a house two blocks from Michael and me.
When they lived in Manhattan, Gary had been an art instructor at the revered Arts Students League. Pamela was a licensed architect.
In Seattle, Pamela began organizing classes for students to learn from Gary. Before long, the students were eager for more. So Pamela hired additional art teachers and rented classrooms in a community center.
Pamela and Gary’s focus and determination gave rise to a fledgling art school. But it wasn’t easy. They took out a second mortgage on their home and maxed out ten credit cards to keep the school going.
Eventually, the school became a non-profit organization, found a home in an old school building on Capitol Hill, and was re-named Gage Academy of Art.
Fast forward to 2024.
Last weekend, I attended the Grand Opening of Gage’s new campus in Seattle’s South Lake Union district.
The state-of-the-art space in Amazon’s re:invent skyscraper is filled with everything an art school needs, including old furniture and funky objects. It invites students to make messes, find their creative mojo, and refine their artistic skills.
The VIP Breakfast event featured light bites, a tour of the space, speeches, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Pamela and Gary were honored for their contributions.
Pamela served as Executive Director for 23 years. Gary continues to work as Gage’s Artistic Director and still teaches at the school.
I am so proud of my family. With vision and commitment, Pamela and Gary laid the groundwork for a nationally recognized art institution and an invaluable resource for the Seattle community.
I played one small role in Gage’s success: I wrote the tagline, “Artists are made, not born.”
Hurrah to Gage for its ability to inspire creativity and make a profound difference to so many!
FINAL NOTE: It took an army of people to make Gage what it is today. But if Pamela and Gary had not planted a pinecone, a mighty pine would not have grown.
Photo credit: portraits of Pamela and Gary / Rosanne Olson
ABOUT US: Okan Arts, a petite family business, is co-owned by mother-daughter duo Patricia Belyea and Victoria Stone. Patricia and Victoria sell Japanese textiles online, host creative quilting experiences, and lead quilting & textile tours to Japan.
FOLLOW OKAN ARTS ON INSTAGRAM @okanarts
