​Check out this article form WHATCOMTALK about our wonderful staff and their contribution to our programs ! 

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Gabriel Miles
FOUNDER

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
LEAD PRESCHOOL TEACHER

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.
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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
LEAD PRE-K TEACHER

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 
ASSISTANT PRE-K TEACHER

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.
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ASAP

Anna Berch-Norton
​PRESCHOOL TEACHER
ASAP ADMIN SUPERVISOR ​

Anna is originally from Pittsburgh, PA but moved to Bellingham in 2016 and has not looked back. Her background is in political science, and she spent several years managing and organizing local candidate and issue campaigns.
She became an early childhood teacher as a way to have a more direct, positive impact on her community.
She is now in her fourth year teaching preschool and third working with elementary students at our After School Art Program. Anna loves all kids, but her favorite age groups are preschool and K-1st grade.
Anna is currently studying Early Childhood Education at Whatcom Community College and just completed her Initial Early Childhood Education Certificate! She is passionate about creating an integrated arts-focused curriculum for all age groups and loves incorporating dance, movement and play whenever possible.
Her favorite art activities are ones that allow for open-ended experimentation and exploration. As a neurodivergent teacher, Anna is passionate about working with students as individuals and doing everything she can to help all children not only learn but feel safe and included in the classroom.
Outside of work Anna enjoys writing poetry, hiking, enjoying obscure media of all types and spending time with her beloved fiancé, EJ and their very spoiled cat, Hestia.

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Savannah Brown
ASAP TEACHER

Savannah has always had a passion for creating and teaching art since they were a child.

She grew up in Washington state mainly, and has always loved the great outdoors. It heavily influences their work.

They recently graduated from WWU with a degree in art studio.
She considers herself a mixed media artist and focus on many different art mediums.

​When they're not creating art, you can find them looking for more trolls to add to their collection. She has had past experience teaching art at other elementary age programs and is excited to share her art knowledge with GAK! ​

SPECIALTY

Julie Lewis
MUSIC PROGRAM

Julie Lewis is a new Bellingham resident.  She has previously been teaching at independent studios, afterschool programs, and private locations for music, voice, piano, guitar, theater, art and dance in the LA area.  She is a well rounded performer and educator and a proud member of AEA - the theater actor's union, AOSA – Orff Level 3 and CMN – the children’s music network.  She has been a teacher for over 20 years, in a variety of settings.  Her experience with children spans years of full-time pre-school and pre-kindergarten programs, after school programs for ages 6-12, full time integrated classroom for grades K-2, youth outreach visiting artist in schools and theater programs, party clowning and special needs education with children on the spectrums.

Julie traveled the world at a young age, as a military offspring.  She began singing and performing in stage productions at the age of 11.  After attending high school in North Pole, Alaska, she moved to Seattle, where she continued to reside on and off for more than a decade.  She traveled gradually down the California coast in search of warmer weather, finally landing in LA.  She has also lived in NYC and Japan following her performing work.  Performing, she has been in numerous regional plays and musicals, was a member of improv group - Playback Theater Northwest for three years, has sung in many bands, choirs and an acapella group (featured on NPR in November 2008) and for various recordings of up and coming musicals (such as The Spirit Warrior's Dream - CD release October 2008 and the Burning Opera-CD release 2011). Favorite roles include Cruella DeVille (East Coast TYA tour), Edwin (The Mystery of Edwin Drood - Summer Rep at the JC 2007) and Tap Dancing Orca Whale #3 (Village Theater in Seattle) She has also directed, music directed and choreographed a number of musicals with children in Washington and Northern California and co-founded a theater company in 2012.  Most recently she has finished her first children’s album, “Shhh” a lullaby collection and looks forward to making more.

With so many adventures possible, it's always hard to choose, but Julie is grateful for the many opportunities that her work and travels in the arts has brought her and highly values each community and every family she encounters.  She is working on ways to stay present in the moment, and making the time and space to manage and prep her many "amazing collections" of art/sewing supplies, musical instruments, theatrical props/costumes/wigs and jewelry making materials in her new Bellingham home, shared with her loving partner of twelve years.

David Moreno
Spanish PROGRAM​

David was born and raised in Southern California before moving north to the San Francisco bay area.  His family emigrated from México and maintains close family relations to his more than 20 first cousins and two brothers living there.  Spanish is his first language, and he understands the challenges and, more importantly, the benefits of bilingualism/ multilingualism for learners of all ages.  

In Northern California, he began working as a High School Spanish teacher and an athletics coach.  He has also worked in Middle School and Elementary classrooms providing support for students with special needs and learners of English as a second language.  He received an AA in Political Science from Berkeley City College and recently completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Washington University.    

​David moved to Bellingham a few years ago and lives with his wife and two young daughters.  They enjoy spending time at parks, hiking the trails all around town, and laughing mightily at life’s funny moments.  At home, you will find him happiest in the kitchen (that’s where the food is, duh), or in the garden (because that’s where it grows) hands deep in soil.  He believes that creating art is a Super Power, and he is excited to see his students use those strengths as they acquire Spanish at Gabriel’s Art Kids.
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