Stacy Pae began teaching art more than a decade ago while living in Virginia after deciding to stay home to raise her children. Art lessons initially began as part of a play group for her children's friends. Soon word got out and more children wanted to take art. Eventually Stacy taught weekly "art and etiquette" classes in her home. After moving her family to Irvine, Stacy again started getting involved in her community and taught art to her children's friends. What started as one class once a week turned into two, then three, and then five. Classes were added for teenagers and parents. Eventually there were too many students for Stacy's home to hold. With help from the parents of one of her art students, Stacy found space in an office building in Tustin that could accommodate all the students that wanted to learn art.

In February 2007, Stacy opened Art Smart Studio and Gallery where she hoped to share her love of art and all its joys. Her daily mission is to inspire, teach from the heart, and bring out the best in each student. She hopes to foster a fun and happy place where students can visualize, express, and nurture their own unique style.

Stacy is a graduate of Sweet Briar College in Virginia with a degree in Fine Arts. Her birth place is Sacramento, California but Stacy lived in Honolulu, Seoul, New York City, Washington, DC. and Virginia before moving to Irvine in 2000.

In the late 1980's, Stacy managed the "Bird in Hand" art gallery in Washington, DC. where she met her husband, Peter. They have two teen daughters, Emily and Ashley. Stacy also worked for a famed textile and furniture maker. Her hospitality design career gave her the opportunity to work with well known International interior designers on projects consisting of upscale hotels and high-end residences in the United States, Asia, and Europe. Stacy is active in the Irvine/Tustin community.