Maisonette Muse: Casey Fremont
Casey Fremont, Director of Art Production Fund, and mother of two boys, is our latest Muse. Find out how this creative powerhouse is inspired by her job to incorporate art into the everyday lives of her boys, which artists she’s watching now, and how you can cultivate a love of art in your own children.
- Photography
- Mimi Crawford
- Styling
- Jessica Sailer Van Lith
- Interview By
- Phoebe de Croisset
What does a typical morning in the Fremont household look like?
On school day mornings, you can usually find us rushing! I try to get up before my kids so I can shower, dress and have at least a sip of a latte before I move on to making their lunches, dressing them, and getting out the door. I literally feel like I've just finished a major obstacle course once I've completed drop off. I cherish slower paced, unscheduled weekends and summer days, and think it's really important that my kids have plan-free down time during those times as well.
How would you describe your style and do you dress your boys to reflect it?
I gravitate towards simple, chic and comfortable for myself... and I try to keep my kids' outfits easy and comfortable as well. I want them to feel independent, so I choose clothes that they can easily get on and off themselves. They have real opinions about fashion, so I look for clothes that incorporate something that they love – animals, for example, which are a big deal for them. I'm really not into "girl" and "boy" labels on clothes - I much prefer gender-neutral pieces.
How has your style changed (if at all) since you became a mother?
It's pretty much the same, but I'm much more dependent on a uniform - which is a great way to simplify. I stay away from fabrics that are easily stained by the inevitable wipe of a kid’s hand or mouth.
What’s one thing you wish you had known before becoming a mother?
I definitely wish I had taken more naps.
Greatest lesson your own mother taught you?
I'm still learning from my mother! She plays a big role in my kids' lives. I love that she and my mother-in-law are so deeply committed to my kids and to spending time with them. They are constantly reminding me to slow down and enjoy each phase as they grow up.
On school day mornings, you can usually find us rushing! I try to get up before my kids so I can shower, dress and have at least a sip of a latte before I move on to making their lunches, dressing them, and getting out the door. I literally feel like I've just finished a major obstacle course once I've completed drop off. I cherish slower paced, unscheduled weekends and summer days, and think it's really important that my kids have plan-free down time during those times as well.
How would you describe your style and do you dress your boys to reflect it?
I gravitate towards simple, chic and comfortable for myself... and I try to keep my kids' outfits easy and comfortable as well. I want them to feel independent, so I choose clothes that they can easily get on and off themselves. They have real opinions about fashion, so I look for clothes that incorporate something that they love – animals, for example, which are a big deal for them. I'm really not into "girl" and "boy" labels on clothes - I much prefer gender-neutral pieces.
How has your style changed (if at all) since you became a mother?
It's pretty much the same, but I'm much more dependent on a uniform - which is a great way to simplify. I stay away from fabrics that are easily stained by the inevitable wipe of a kid’s hand or mouth.
What’s one thing you wish you had known before becoming a mother?
I definitely wish I had taken more naps.
Greatest lesson your own mother taught you?
I'm still learning from my mother! She plays a big role in my kids' lives. I love that she and my mother-in-law are so deeply committed to my kids and to spending time with them. They are constantly reminding me to slow down and enjoy each phase as they grow up.
As the Director of Art Production Fund, you commission and produce art projects for the public, often collaborating with some of the world’s great visionaries and artists. What is the best part of your job?
Witnessing how the public reacts to our projects and the pride that the artist radiates once their vision is in the public realm.
How has being a mother helped you in your career? How has your career helped you to be a better mother?
Having kids, and seeing firsthand the positive impact art has on their lives, has motivated me to develop public art programming that engages children. I love bringing my kids to see our projects - it's so important to me that they are exposed to my work.
Who are the artists you have your eye on today?
I love Zoe Buckman, Elise Peterson, Cynthia Talmadge, Raul De Nieves, Deborah Roberts the list goes on!
Witnessing how the public reacts to our projects and the pride that the artist radiates once their vision is in the public realm.
How has being a mother helped you in your career? How has your career helped you to be a better mother?
Having kids, and seeing firsthand the positive impact art has on their lives, has motivated me to develop public art programming that engages children. I love bringing my kids to see our projects - it's so important to me that they are exposed to my work.
Who are the artists you have your eye on today?
I love Zoe Buckman, Elise Peterson, Cynthia Talmadge, Raul De Nieves, Deborah Roberts the list goes on!
“Take your kids to see art - ask them questions about what they see, and how it makes them feel.”
How do you incorporate art into the everyday lives of your boys?
We constantly visit museums and galleries. I love looking at art with my kids because they have these amazingly pure and unedited responses to what they are seeing. I surround them with art at home, and we visit public art in whatever city we are in.
Can you make any suggestions to parents hoping to help their children cultivate a love and appreciation of art?
Take your kids to see art - ask them questions about what they see, and how it makes them feel. Look for interactive projects that engage their creativity though participation.
We constantly visit museums and galleries. I love looking at art with my kids because they have these amazingly pure and unedited responses to what they are seeing. I surround them with art at home, and we visit public art in whatever city we are in.
Can you make any suggestions to parents hoping to help their children cultivate a love and appreciation of art?
Take your kids to see art - ask them questions about what they see, and how it makes them feel. Look for interactive projects that engage their creativity though participation.
Do you have any tips on how to bring art into your kid's rooms or nurseries?
Definitely hang art on your walls, but another great way to incorporate art into lives is through artist-designed functional objects. It makes art a lot less precious, much more accessible, and it is truly integrated into their everyday. APF has been producing artist beach towels for over ten years now and the towels are a great way to expose your kids to artists' work.
What are some of the places you take your boys to experience art in a more hands-on way?
We are always making art at home and I love our local Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Study Center where they have a rotating art project that uses everyday materials and relates to the unit of study. In LA, we always visit LACMA. The Boone Children's Gallery at LACMA has painting every day and my kids are obsessed with visiting and bringing home a stack of their art.
Greatest perk of having a chef for a husband?
In general – it’s delicious home-cooked meals, and the effortless dinner party prep. But I especially appreciate the perfect homemade chicken soup whenever I feel run down.
You know you’ve been a good mama when…
I get a full-blown belly laugh from my kids. There is no better sound!
One item you can’t live without?
My iPhone. Sad, but true.
Life motto/mantra:
Drink more water.
Definitely hang art on your walls, but another great way to incorporate art into lives is through artist-designed functional objects. It makes art a lot less precious, much more accessible, and it is truly integrated into their everyday. APF has been producing artist beach towels for over ten years now and the towels are a great way to expose your kids to artists' work.
What are some of the places you take your boys to experience art in a more hands-on way?
We are always making art at home and I love our local Brooklyn Bridge Park Environmental Study Center where they have a rotating art project that uses everyday materials and relates to the unit of study. In LA, we always visit LACMA. The Boone Children's Gallery at LACMA has painting every day and my kids are obsessed with visiting and bringing home a stack of their art.
Greatest perk of having a chef for a husband?
In general – it’s delicious home-cooked meals, and the effortless dinner party prep. But I especially appreciate the perfect homemade chicken soup whenever I feel run down.
You know you’ve been a good mama when…
I get a full-blown belly laugh from my kids. There is no better sound!
One item you can’t live without?
My iPhone. Sad, but true.
Life motto/mantra:
Drink more water.
