SAGE Studio & Gallery in East Austin supports artists with developmental and intellectual disabilities, providing studio space, community, and gallery representation. Founded in 2017 by Lucy Gross and Katie Stahl, the organization has paid over $200,000 in commissions to its artists, with some earning upwards of $30,000 annually. Artists like Molly Hale create works in fiber, paint, pastels, and other media, and SAGE has collaborated with brands such as Vans, Whataburger, and Austin FC. The studio is preparing for an upcoming art fair.
This article matters because it highlights the growing role of progressive studios—organizations dedicated to cultivating artists with intellectual disabilities—in the mainstream art world. With over 80 such studios across the U.S., according to curator Cléa Massiani, these spaces challenge traditional notions of who can be an artist and how art careers are built. SAGE’s success in generating significant income for its artists and its push to be recognized simply for the quality of its art, regardless of disability, underscores a broader movement toward inclusivity and equity in the visual arts.