Our Story
Seeing the need for a B2B networking platform for artists and industry professionals, in June of 2018 Andrea Bogart, artist and business expert launched Embrace Creatives, a caring, business ecosystem uniting artists and commercial buyers. Soon after, artists, designers, galleries, business experts and non-profits from around the country began to join showcasing their art, finding opportunities and connecting with their peers and buyers.
Then something amazing happened.
People started asking, “How can I help you?”
When user enrollment was a daily event and MORE people wanted to be a part of her vision , Bogart realized that she had tapped into something bigger than she had expected.
Of course Artists want to sell and learn new skills but they want more than that. Artists crave community, peer support and a clear way to affect positive change in their community. So using the scale of an online network paired with in-person and virtual events, Andrea is igniting an empowerment movement for Artists through her Embrace Creatives ecosystem.
Andrea, her Champions, and Chapter Directors are thoughtfully developing a grassroots movement to strengthen our art business ecosystem. EC is mindfully growing from city-to-city, state-to-state.
However, Bogart knows that merely opening up pathways to commercial opportunities isn’t enough. Artists need business skills and step-by-step guidance to learn how to work professionally with buyers and industry leaders so she added free articles, events that bring artists together with local business experts and is launching Embrace Creatives University, 24/7 online business education.
Embrace Your Potential
A safe space to do business and sell artwork, EC is more than a typical retail and wholesale marketplace. Through targeted articles and educational events, our Members meet each other, build important connections and learn things like;
- Which sales opportunities are trustworthy?
- How do I prepare for tax season?
- What’s the best small business insurance for me?
- How do I market myself and my art business?
- What do I need to know about copyright protection and trademarks?
What makes us MUCH different is our in-person events that support the good health of our art communities. Meeting to share our art, discuss business strategies, make strong connections and push through our introverted nature to expand our network is REALLY important so we set up ways to empower-in-person (and virtually).
- Mix With a Maker (pop up exhibits)
- Creative FUEL business workshops
- Portfolio Reviews
- Feedback Forums
- Holiday Hooplahs
- Retail Markets
- EC-only exhibitions
Portfolio Review at the Detroit Center for Design + Technology Patricia B. sharing her art at a Mix With a Maker event.
Artist Feedback Forum at the Pioneer Building/Studios, Detroit Creative FUEL: Protecting Your Art & Business livestream expert discussion
Steve C. selling his digital art at Meritor Coporation’s employee market Mix With a Maker at Galerie Camille, Detroit
Asia, owner of Norwest Gallery discussing an EC Member’s portfolio Creative FUEL: How to Connect with Commercial Buyers
Wanna empower YOUR creative community? Become and EC Chapter Director and bring our events to your town. To discuss this opportunity to lead and be interviewed, send us an email: team@embracecreatives.com
Why Embrace Creatives?
- Get monthly networking, exhibition and special event invitations.
- Upload Portfolios, Look Books, Line Sheets, etc for commercial buyers.
- Find new opportunities via calls & grants
- Promote your business to attract clients and buyers.
- Oh, and all passions are welcome – even nudes and erotic art
Who is Embrace Creatives?
Embrace Creatives Founder & CEO – Andrea Bogart, professional artist, educator, speaker and business coach
OUR EC CHAMPIONS
Join us to connect with them for mentoring or expert advice.
David Bogart
Provides us with small business insurance plus he supports his wife, Andrea.
Thomas Grubba
Commercial and Fine Art Photographer & co-producer of EC Portfolio Reviews
Kiruba Sekaran
Fine artist and SEO & SEM guide
Kelly O’Neill
Sculptor and marketing & advertising master
Steve Czapiewski
Illustrator, Print Production, Creative Director
Heather Meyer
Chapter Director for Calhoun County, MI. The Artsy Marketer / Branding & Marketing for Artists supporting EC on the west side of Michigan
Fernando
Art Director, Educator, Fine Artist and our first West Coast Ambassador!
Sue Schneider
Multi-Media sculptor, web designer
Nancy Unger
Sculptor and multi-media artist
Get Involved!
Lead a local Chapter as an EC Director