Our Mission

Savage Art Studios & Gallery  supports visual artists by providing an environment that embraces and inspires arts education, promotion and the creative process.

Signature Members Pose upon request & for the heck of it! Front Row Left to Right: Patricia Kness, Mary Aries. Jo Storey Not shown: Christine Tierney,

Savage Art Studios was founded in 2006 by a group of visual artists (from the former Minnesota River School of Fine Art) and with a grant from the City of Savage.  The City provided incentive for the artists to settle in the Hamilton Building in Old Downtown Savage as part of the City's long-term redevelopment program for the are. Mary Aries & Jo Storey assumed ownership in 2007, so that the rest of the group could get back to their painting.  Then in 2009 the business was Mary returned to her creative life full time and Jo Storey became the sole owner.  The name was changed to Savage Art Studios & Gallery. Our Signature Members still call SASG home:

Patricia Kness, is a long time resident of our Southern Metro community, having been raised here and lived most of her life in Minnesota.  Classically trained at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.  She has also benefited from workshops held by national and Internationally recognized artists.  Patricia was an instructor at Minnesota River School of Fine Arts before taking on her role at SAS as Instructional Manager and is a Signature Member.  See more of Patricia Kness' work on-line at: www.patriciakness.com 

Mary Aries,is an Atelier trained classical realist.  She also studied at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, followed by a workshop at Atelier Lack. These classes woke her senses to the joy of creating art and set her on a passionate life-long path of artistic expression. A wife and the mother of two teenagers, she became a full-time student at Atelier LeSueur and Minnesota River School of Fine Art. Mary is a Signature Member of SASG. Mary and Jo purchased the primary shares of the studios in 2007.  Mary continues as a studio artist and retired from management of the gallery in 2009. 

Christine Tierney, is an Advertising designer and illustrator who owns her own firm in Burnsville.  She is also a classically trained painter who studied and instructed at the Minnesota River School of Fine Art.  She specializes in classic realism in still life and impressionistic outdoor landscapes. Currently besides running her own advertising and marketing firm, Christine is Instructor and Signature Member of SASG.  You may see more of Christine's work by visiting her web site at: www.christinetierney.com 

Jo Storey, Director and Owner, is a classically trained, award winning artist from Savage.  She studied Classical realism and general art studies at the Minnesota River School of Fine Arts, Western Washington University, Green River Community College and continues her studies with nationally recognized artist's workshops.  Jo has her BA in Business Administration - Marketing Specialization from Western Washington University and is a corporate executive escapee.  She formally owned Giverny Marketing before joining SAS as the Director, Instructor and a Signature Member. Jo became the sole owner in 2009 and continues as Director today.  You may see more of Jo's work at: www.jostorey.com