- 2026-08-19
New Pathways at Gage: Where to Begin as an Artist
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. It can also make walking into an art school feel daunting. With so many classes and disciplines to choose from, the hardest question is usually the first one: where do I start, and what should I take next?
This year, Gage is answering that question directly. We're expanding our Core program into New Pathways at Gage, a set of clear starting points designed to help you get from where you are to where you want to be.
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. It can also make walking into an art school feel daunting. With so many classes and disciplines to choose from, the hardest question is usually the first one: where do I start, and what should I take next?
This year, Gage is answering that question directly. We're expanding our Core program into New Pathways at Gage, a set of clear starting points designed to help you get from where you are to where you want to be.
Start with the Foundations
Whatever you want to make, whether it's drawing, painting in water or oil, working with the figure, or understanding color, there are core concepts and practices every artist needs. Our Core curriculum lays those out clearly, so you build a real foundation instead of guessing at the next step. Nearly every class in painting, sculpture, and printmaking builds on these same fundamentals.
It all starts with Core Drawing, our long-running entry point for people just starting out and for anyone coming back after time away. From there, the path opens up.
Three New Ways to Begin
New Pathways expands Core Drawing with three new ground-level pathways, one for each discipline:
- Core Painting - The essential technical and observational skills for representational painting. Learn to mix, manipulate, and apply paint, one of the most versatile mediums there is.
- Core Color - An introduction to the language of color, building a practical understanding of color theory as a foundation for making meaningful images.
- Core Figure - A working understanding of the human figure through observation, construction, and structural thinking.
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.
Go Deeper: the Core Seminar
We're also introducing the Core Seminar, Thinking about Art. This monthly hybrid class unpacks the ideas behind the work through open discussion of readings, videos, and other resources. It's open to all atelier students and to anyone in the Gage community who wants to dig into what makes great artwork tick. As part of this, our Creativity Series with Bruce Morser explores creativity itself as a practice that spans artistic, personal, and professional life.
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 [link to Core Pathway page].