Check out this article form WHATCOMTALK about our wonderful staff and their contribution to our programs !
Gabriel Miles
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I grew up in Westchester County, NY and received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in NYC and an MS in Art Education from Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY. I am WA State certified, K - 12 with an endorsement in Visual Arts. I have taught students in age from preschool through adults, in both the public and private school setting as well as at community centers, non profit organizations, museums and taught art to children, ages 7 – 18, with Down Syndrome and other special needs. I have taught 2-D; mixed media, watercolor, acrylic, pastels, colored pencils, charcoal, printmaking, etc. 3-D; book binding, clay, plaster, mixed media sculptures (recycled materials).
I moved to Bellingham in 2003 with my husband, Joe, and our two dogs. We welcomed our first child in March 2008, she is now in middle school. We love the great outdoors, especially the beaches, hiking and camping and always bringing along a sketchbook or camera. In 2010 I created the toddler art program that was offered at the Family Interactive Gallery (FIG) which is part of the Whatcom Museum at the Lightcatcher building. In 2012 I opened Gabriel’s Art Kids and I haven't looked back since! I love my school, my students and families and most of all my teachers, all of who help to make GAK what it is! |
ECE
Autumn Dinicola
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Autumn is a Bellingham native. She graduated from Bellingham High School in 2004 and worked as a certified nursing assistant for many years at a local convalescent home. In 2011 she began her Early Childhood Education program at WCC and graduated with honors in 2014 receiving her AA degree in early childhood. During her internship, she began working at Gabriel’s Art Kids and has been here since.
Autumn was blessed with a daughter in November 2015 and is so very proud to be a mother. Autumn’s birthday is September 21st, her favorite color is purple and she loves chocolate chip mint ice cream. Some things Autumn enjoys doing when she’s not teaching are: Being out in nature; hiking, swimming, sledding, etc. She enjoys most of all spending time with her family both immediate & extended at every opportunity, especially if FOOD is involved. Autumn also loves to sing and write, both poetry and journaling. |
Sidra Williamson
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Sidra Williamson, "Sid" to her friends, teaches in our elementary after-school art program and at the Robert Williams School of Arts & Sciences.
For 5 1/2 years Sid taught elementary visual arts in Hanoi, Vietnam, and before that in Siem Reap, Cambodia. After COVID-19 made for a pause in teaching abroad, Sid was excited at the opportunity to teach in Bellingham, WA, at Gabriel's. When she received a Bachelor's degree from Western Washington University in Fine Arts and Film Production, she never would've guessed she'd be finishing her Master's in Education by student-teaching in Bellingham again, at an amazing art school. She loves teaching art; creating an environment for children to explore what their interests are while being in an open-minded, supportive and inspirational environment. |
Ryleigh Stover
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Ryleigh is a Snohomish county gal who moved north in 2020 to pursue a Bachelor's in Psychology at Western with a career in elementary school counseling as her goal.
Since moving, she has taken many opportunities to work with youth through nannying, mentoring in multiple classrooms at Mary Purcell Elementary, and teaching at summer camps. During these golden chances to work with youth both in the home and the classroom, a strong appreciation for creative teaching that prioritizes expressing delight in the individual child solidified! It's a joy to have that framework continued at Gabriel's with the additional opportunities to integrate her love of art. When away from the classroom, Ryleigh loves to cook, read, and indulge in films from Hollywood's golden era with rotating craft in hand. |