A design atelier, at the core of Eugene Barnett is the concept of adapting principles of the fashion industry to the homewares market. The haute couture informs the ready-to-wear while the r-t-w funds the couture. This is not the democratization of design; it is the distribution of wealth across concepts. EB&A looks to introduce artists to the mechanisms of the design market as an alternate venue for work and a potential source for funding future projects.

Daniel Eugene Pugh (Dan) creates images, objects and films that explore randomness and absurdity. He received his BFA in Sculpture from the Kansas City Art Institute and is a 2010 candidate for an MBA from the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Stuart School of Business. Dan’s work is occasionally shown throughout the United States. He is a past recipient of the Margaret Allen Barnett Award and Fellow of AICAD’s New York Studio Residency Program.

Stuart School of Business, IIT, ChicagoMasters of Business AdministrationConcentration: Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Enterprises

Working with the center’s career development and art staff, I designed and manufactured “organic” furniture concepts based of the American and Western European tradition of tramp art. Other projects included designing and manufacturing custom displays for local fashion boutiques.

Drexel Properties owns and manages over 500 rental units, providing affordable housing in quality rehabbed apartment buildings.

As Resident Heads, my partner and I advised 65 undergraduate students, in Henderson House at Pierce Hall. The university’s housing administration appoints advanced graduate students and staff members to act as mentors to young adults entering a demanding university environment. The program required a mix of skills including: event coordination, conflict resolution, general counsel and referral. As an adviser to the student committees my efforts focused on assessing and identifying reasonable, yet challenging goals for the student that would not interfere with their academic responsibilities. My artistic and operational skills were utilized to great personal satisfaction as the design/build adviser for the 2007 & 2008 University of Chicago, Scavhunt.

Responsible for directing all facets of fine art handling/shipping, framing, installation and inventory. This included prioritizing schedules, negotiating with supply and shipping vendors, equipment upkeep and maintaining an inventory database. Additional responsibilities consisted of organizing set-up, catering and staffing for bi-monthly events at either of the company’s two galleries. My accomplishments included implementing:1. A computer-based system of sales status codes which allow immediate and more accurate tracking of pieces from the sale to the delivery,2. Packaging/shipping standards that reduced damage claims by almost 60%.3. Improved management of gallery shows allowing gallery directors more time to focus on clients, thus increasing sales.

My responsibilities consisted of facilitating all aspects of shipping and installation of Chinese and Tibetan antiquities, in private and public settings. This entailed organizing the production schedule, crew, and equipment necessary. Further responsibilities consisted of inventory control (warehouse), infrastructure maintenance (computers, showroom, warehouse and transportation), supply ordering, and upkeep of the online inventory database. My accomplishments included a reorganization of warehouse space, resulting in increased sales due to better accessibility to, and tracking of, inventory. Furthermore, the restructuring of tool and supply storage resulted in a vast reduction in lost equipment and redundant ordering of materials.

I developed and maintained the graphics department of a digital photography solution offering clients a unique event and trade show marketing tool with a high retention rate. My responsibilities included creating client specific designs, event management, personnel training, and technical support. Clients included: Motorola, The American Heart Association, Toyota, The Houston Symphony, Shell Oil, Houston Rockets, General Motors, and American Red Cross.