Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Virgin
Hi Andrea, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am the daughter of Cuban immigrant parents who came to this country with nothing but goals and a vision of a better life. From an early age, they instilled in me that practicality and financial stability were paramount. Yet, I grew up seeking creative outlets and fell in love with the performing arts through ballet as a young child. After graduation, with my parents’ insistence, I found a way to pursue both pragmatism and passion: performing as a professional ballerina while simultaneously earning a degree in Civil Engineering—a stable, secure backup career.
I quickly realized I could differentiate myself as an engineer by applying my creativity to my real estate work, which brought incredible value to my developer clients. I could do something many of my counterparts could not—think outside the box. I soon found enough success in the field to start my own company, and the skills I learned through my entrepreneurial journey have been invaluable as I set out to bring a new project to life: The Center for Arts & Innovation. Every day, I blend tenacity, expertise and creativity to push forward my vision for The Center, so future generations can manifest creative solutions and change the world.
My career is an example of the central mission of The Center: championing innovative intersections between the arts and diverse fields to unlock the power of creativity. Our goal is to expand access to opportunities and inspire other communities to invest in creativity as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Every road is different, and not a single one is smooth. It is through these journeys that we become who we are, and our creativity in times of resilience is what propels us forward.
One of the earlier challenges in my life came during the recession in 2008. Unfortunately, the arts and culture sector was one of the first to be severely impacted, and the dance company I performed with folded. This forced me to switch out my pointe shoes for a hard hat, kickstarting my engineering career much earlier than I had anticipated.
In 2015, my husband, who was my biggest cheerleader, died in a tragic accident at the age of 31. His family has built a legacy in real estate, shaping the urban infrastructure of what the City of Boca Raton is today. I was ready to follow in their footsteps and continue to define my home city, and to be his forever teammate but, unfortunately, our time together was cut short. In many ways, this project is about carrying his legacy forward.
Often, it’s the unexpected, difficult, and heartbreaking events that spark the tenacity to move forward and give you the conviction to see your vision through. The hurdles always come with a lesson. Whether it’s love, loss, or resourcefulness, each challenge has taught me to trust who I am regardless of the circumstances. I am left-brained, right-brained, colorful, black and white, an artist, and an engineer. I am a walking oxymoron—and holding true to that through every challenging moment in my life has allowed me to always come out on top.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Center for Arts & Innovation ?
The Center for Arts & Innovation in Boca is an upcoming 21st-century creativity and innovation hub that will revitalize Boca Raton’s downtown and set a world-class example for the future of cultural infrastructure. The Center is designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architecture firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop. We recently unveiled the first look at the initial concept design, which was featured in leading industry publications like Dezeen, ArchDaily, The Architect’s Newspaper and Architectural Record. Once it opens, The Center is estimated to generate more than $1.3 billion in overall economic impact in the area within its first five years, both from retained direct, indirect and induced spending and attract more than half a million new annual visitors to the city. The Center is projected to break ground in 2027.
What are your plans for the future?
I strongly believe in the power of creativity. While many think of the arts as a silo, a nice-to-have, or non-essential, my career and experiences have shown me that it is essential and at the core of everything. More than ever, in a post-Covid world, people are uninspired, disconnected, and disheartened. What solves those issues? I firmly believe that the solution lies in the promotion and exposure to creativity.
The concept of STEM is incredibly important, but limitless potential is unlocked when those tools are compounded with creativity and innovation. Ultimately, The Center’s mission is to offer a space where creativity and innovation can thrive. From there, it creates a ripple effect where communities are inspired and empowered to build a brighter future. There has never been a more important time to do that than now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecenterforartsandinnovation.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecenterfai/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bocaratonartscenter/
