We’re headed @Home with… Andrea Bogart, manager of Midtown’s Detroit Center for Design + Technology and founder of Embrace Creatives, an online network/marketplace that connects qualified artists and interior designers. We caught up with the fine artist and mother of three @ Home and here’s what we learned: @Home with Andrea Bogart ![]() Those who have visited us at the DCDT might recognize Andrea Bogart right away. She curates our galleries and is a driving force behind the summer symposium and exhibition, Yeah, What Lester Said, which explores the impact of climate change within our architectural industry and the built environment. The events will include a gallery show, artist talks and so much more. It will be completely virtual, free to attend and events begin June 1 at Detroit.design/Lester. Here’s how she’s putting this event together – and being creative at home. DCDT: Where are working from these days? AB: “My husband and I share our home office space so I’m either flirting with him or throwing spitballs at the back of his head (kidding). Sometimes we take turns working on the bed. On nice days I’ll move outside with my lap top. Other than that, I’m in the kitchen cooking or cleaning.” DCDT: What’s the best part about working from home? The hardest?
AB: “The first, best part is being with my husband, Dave and my son, Jason (interviewed previously, here) who’s been ‘stuck’ with us since his Spring Break from Penn State in March. The second is the fact that I am surrounded by nature, 24/7. I prefer trees over rows of buildings because nature calms and centers me when I get too caught up with work or the stressors of building my startup. Our home backs up to a stream and small forest which houses an abundance of birds, ducks, deer, rabbits, hawks and ground hogs. In fact, sitting by the stream last week with our binoculars, we spotted a mink!” DCDT: What digital platforms are you using most at this time? AB: “You name it… I live on my Mac, emailing our Yeah, What Lester Said leads; planning our 2021 creative initiative; connecting with Christopher Stefani, DCDT’s associate director; participating in our weekly LTU staff meetings via Zoom; keeping in touch with our coworkers; setting up our social media schedule; working on the back end of our website, researching articles and such. I’m a true introvert so I’m quite at home (no pun intended), isolated with my computer.” DCDT: What’s your favorite option for delivery or carry-out? AB: “I cook six out of the seven nights of the week and I love it. As an artist who’s not in her studio, cooking is my creative outlet and now that I only shop every 2 weeks there’s more than enough diversity in my cupboard which has expanded my culinary horizons. That being said, my husband is a Farm Bureau insurance agent and their company ran a promotion for local restaurants which we participated in. He chose Mt. Chalet in Royal Oak, Luxe Bar and Grill in Birmingham and Fillmore 13 Brewery in Pontiac to order from. We also order from a teeny tiny, authentic Mexican restaurant called El Guanaco in Troy when I need my plantain fix.” DCDT: How are you spending extra time? AB: “I work almost 24/7. For the DCDT I'm helping to move us forward from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Before and after that time and typically on the weekends, I work on Embrace Creatives especially as I'm pivoting from a business network that accepts everyone to a platform that connects, vetted, certified artists and designers with interior designers. However, I have about many books on my bedside and Jason and I painted together recently. My only binge is watching Schitt’s Creek. I’m not on social media except for business and we don’t have cable so I watch a lot of PBS/NOVA plus the classics movie channel. I try to check in with a friend each week and FaceTime with my children in New York. My parents are in state so I can drive by and sit with them in their backyard. I’m truly happy being alone with my husband, son and nature at home.” Would you like to be featured in a future @Home with… interview? Just drop a line to stephanie@prologuedetroit.com and we’ll reach out with questions, request a photo and add you to our growing list of Detroit entrepreneurs, designers, architects and artists. Stay safe. Stay @ Home with us.
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