Bellevue, WA—Bellevue Arts Museum is proud to announce the launch of Gage Teen Art Studios at BAM in June, 2015. The new partnership (TAS@BAM), based on Gage Academy of Art’s long-running teen programs, will offer teens on Seattle’s eastside an opportunity to experience the transformative power of art through a free weekly drop-in program that introduces new mediums and skills, and inspires creativity through the guidance of professional teaching artists.

Taking place on Thursdays from 4 - 7pm at Bellevue Arts Museum, TAS is open to teen artists ages 13 - 18, and includes free art materials. Each month will present a new topic for artistic exploration, inspired by exhibitions at BAM. Teen artists will experience hands-on learning in a casual and supportive environment, and will enjoy access to museum exhibitions, as well as opportunities to exhibit their own work at the annual Best of Gage show, and other exhibitions at Gage and BAM throughout the year.

“We are thrilled to partner with Gage to offer this highly engaging and successful program to teens on the Eastside," said Eileen Herbert, Education Curator at Bellevue Arts Museum. "This unique and accessible studio provides a great opportunity for teens to find inspiration and create community while making art under the mentorship of outstanding professional artists."

TAS@BAM is free and open to all students ages 13-18, and includes all art materials free of charge. Learn more at bellevuearts.org/programs/teen.html.

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2015 TAS@BAM SUMMER SCHEDULE - Thursdays, 4 - 7pm - FREE JUNE

JUNE
Jana Brevick: Metal Infinity: Jewelry and Sculpture
Join BAM Exhibiting Artist Jana Brevick to learn a variety of cold-process metal working techniques to create your own stunning wearables and sculptures. Practice forming, connections, and chain making using a variety of tools and transform foils using folding, embossing, and more! Brevick will share her personal process and concept building, inspiring you to new artistic heights in 3D metal-work!
BAM Exhibit: Jana Brevick: This Infinity Fits in My Hand

JULY
Megan Hartwig: Juxtapose Illustration
Material combinations link symbols and ideas: discover new combinations in “Let’s Play War” with Teaching Artist Megan Hartwig. Create your own visionary artworks juxtaposing contrasting subjects like “soft” and “hard," “fluid” and “permanent ," or “natural” and “man-made” with textiles, found images, graphite, and other mediums specific to the design world. Explore the power of contrast, and how to tell your own unique stories through art.
BAM Exhibit: Nathan Vincent: Let’s Play War

AUGUST
Iole Allessandrini: Botanical Art Book
Taking inspiration from craftwork and art objects on display, Teaching Artist Iole Allesandrini leads students into a world of nature. Examine the physical forms of flora and fauna, capturing your interpretations through drawing, painting and modeling botanical specimens. Explore graphite, colored pencils, water-mediums, and more to create unique artworks, and finally compile the projects into stunning, personal artist books!
BAM Exhibit: In the Realm of Nature: Bob Stocksdale & Kay Sekimachi

ABOUT GAGE ACADEMY OF ART
Celebrating 25 years as a national center for classical training in the foundation principles of drawing,
painting, and sculpture, Gage Academy of Art, a 501-C3 non-profit, features fine-art programs year-round that engage and inspire emerging and established artists of all ages and abilities through rigorous study and practice in the Realist tradition. For more information, connect with Gage on Facebook and Twitter, or visit GageAcademy.org.

ABOUT BELLEVUE ARTS MUSEUM
Bellevue Arts Museum is a leading destination in the Pacific Northwest to experience art, craft, and design. BAM engages the community through exhibitions, programs, and publications, featuring regional, national, and international artists. bellevuearts.org.

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