Seattle artist, Sharon Arnold has recently joined Gage Academy of Art on Capitol Hill as the newest Youth Programs Manager.

Arnold has been a practicing artist in Seattle for the past 4 years. She is also the founder of art blog, Dimensions Variable, a project dedicated to promoting local art and literature in the community.

Born in Queen Anne Hill, she studied at Pratt Institute in New York and graduated magna cum laude from Cornish College of Arts in 2006.

Arnold’s goal as the newest employee for Gage is to help bring art literacy awareness to youth in the greater Seattle area through the Teen Art Studios–a program which has been around long before Arnold was hired.

“It’s a great way to teach art to kids in a memorable way,” said Arnold. “The [Teen Art Studios] show kids that art isn’t a rigorous curriculum but that it can be fun.”

Teen Art Studios is offered every Friday and Saturday.

Gage hosts the drop-in program Friday nights for teens (ages 13-18) from 6:30 to 9:30 at their Capitol Hill location and Saturday Teen Studio sessions are located at The 2100 Building in Rainier, same time.

The 2100 Building is home to thirteen non-profit organizations, all dedicated to promoting kids involvement in their community.

Each month, a new artist is featured as the guest instructor for the Teen Art Studio sessions. Artists with experience from various backgrounds introduce different genres to teens.

The categories range from illustration, cartooning, mixed media, figure drawing and more.

Gage brings in working artists that are active in the community, who are teachers or have had their work shown in galleries, according to Arnold.

“It’s important to show these working artists to the kids,” said Arnold. “They become mentors in a way. Kids can think that yes, they can do this too. They can go out, become artists and earn a living with it.”

And yes, we also offer free pizza and refreshments, said Arnold.

New kids are always appearing as well as returning ones, according to Arnold. The average size of the class is from 20-25 students.

The Teen Art Studios provide all materials—and yes, for free. All levels are also welcomed.

Arnold was recently featured at Monarch Contemporary as part of First Thursdays for the month of April in a group show, Troy Gua’s Collaborati as well as at OHGE Ltd–which will also be open for First Thursday in May.

Arnold’s own work consists of paper cut outs that deals with linear, figurative and narrative pieces. She is currently working on new art, when she figures out what it is, she will tell you.

Gage Academy, located on 1501 10th Ave. E. next to St. Mark’s Cathedral, and is currently celebrating their 20th year anniversary. It also offers adult programs, lectures, events, exhibitions and summer programs. They also offer quarterly programs for teens and kids that range from 6-10 weeks.

For more information on Gage and their programs check out their website at: www.gageacademy.org

Check out Arnold’s artist profile at: www.trianglesforteeth.com

Arnold is also the founder of art blog:  www.dimensionsvariable.org