The Potato Eaters: Collaborators

our
collaborators

THE PEOPLE WE NEED TO THANK
I was going to try to write our thank you list in third person, but it is impossible for me to distance myself when I'm so overwhelmed by the love and support shown to us...so I compiled this list and it isn't in any particular order. I don't have pictures of everyone yet, so make sure you see the names of those at the bottom.

My parents Rich and Glenda Avery, are the sweetest of sweets. I got to spend so much time with my dad...learning to weld and how to properly use a drill. Through all my crazy ideas, he kept an open mind and good attitude and I can't begin to thank him enough for all that he has done for me. Everyone that gets to know him, respects him. He is a good man. And my momma is truly the best; helping me make 500 sweet potato tarts and 700+ mints, cleaning my house, going on hunts to find me mirrors at bargain prices. We always have so much fun together. They said they were giddy all the next day, they had such a good time. My reflection room is dedicated to them.

Where to start? Dr. Tom and Sue Stees rolled into town on Thursday and never stopped. Cooking, cleaning, making sure we were fed, creating the spectacular floral arrangements, decorating the buffet table, handling sales, buying us drinks, and treating all of RB's friends like family; the generosity of these two is truly remarkable. Their kindness went above and beyond and all of us are so grateful for their many contributions towards making our show a success. It was a real joy seeing them so happy. Love, love, love.

Laura Stees is Rebecca's way cool sister with loads of style. She's a certified event planner living in Las Vegas. She helped with the catering and worked the door the night of the show. Her many compliments boosted our spirits. Tommy Aldravez is Laura's boyfriend and worked his butt off making sure the buffet table stayed stocked. Tommy is learning how to do faux finishes and painted the cool chair that was for sale. He and Laura provided late night comic relief with their shish-kabob dance. Sweethearts indeed!

Wine and cheese maven, Amy Jackson, is my super-centered friend who made trips to Home Depot, stocked us with Hogaarden, worked the show, DJ'd, drafted her co-workers to help, took RB's boyfriend to the Miles Davis exhibit at the history museum, and provided me with reality checks during every minor and major meltdown I experienced during this year-long process. She is a loyal, solid, right-on gal and I don't know what I'd do without her.

Former St. Louisians and friends of Rebecca's since high school, Cindy Margulis and Anita Liou flew in all the way from the Bay area to help. Cindy helped RB with all her prep work, helped hang the show, did the art experiments in the restrooms, and handled sales (beautifully) at the event. Anita scored free airfare for her friends, made potato curry, helped hang the show, and treated us all to lunch at her parents restaurant, The Mandarin House. These two did a ton of work and really are outstanding women.

Erin Coyle and Zoë Glandstone also came in from the Bay area to lend support. Zoë slept on a cot in my kitchen and claims to have actually enjoyed it. Erin stayed with Anita's generous family. Zoë is an artist and makes gorgeous books. She's studying to teach art. Erin is a writer. These are two super smart and foxy gals that know how to kick up their heels.

Kathy Coker and her cousin Mary helped hang all those aprons and worked the door the night of the show. Kathy is always so generous and enthusiastic. And when she and Mary are together, they are so much fun. We truly enjoyed having them involved. I also want to thank Chuck Coker, who picked up a friend whose car wouldn't start, saved the day with a hand saw, and has bought me more breakfasts than I care to count. I love this family.

My brother, Tony Avery is a huge help all the time, but was an especially good helper during this event. His kind manner, constant curiosity, and eagerness to help make him a joy to be around. My sister-in-law Jessica and my other brother Jeff, are always supportive and brought my nephews Sam and Jake to the show, in spite of still being a little bit under the weather.

Chef extraordinaire, Neika Soissons, owner of the World Café and White Crow Productions made the potato soup and our wonderful brunch the Sunday after the show. The World Café is in the Baraka Building at 5001 Mardel Avenue. Neika's Sunday Brunch, with both vegetarian and traditional fare, is only $10. It is our favorite place to drink coffee, eat chocolates, and talk art. And Joseph, who works at the cafe, provided much needed comedic relief while we were breaking down the show. (Dianna and Nina in foreground; Joseph and Neika in background.)

Writer and designer, Tracy Varley, is Ron's girlfriend and a tireless supporter of Mad Art. She was a tremendous help to The Potato Eaters. Ron works such weird hours...Tracy was a great liaison as we planned this event--helping all of us understand what the game plan was. What a worker! When she sleeps is anyone's guess.

Personal trainer, Ellen Hinkebein, is Frank's sweet girlfriend with great ideas and knows how to make a person feel great about their artwork. She's a gem.

Farshid Etniko played music that was beyond fun and gorgeous, it was a magical vibe.

Jeff Miller (the artist on the floor with the potatoes), DJ Kennedy and Julie (contributing artists and trombonist), Angela (contributing artist and accordionist), Archer (Fire Breather), Tom Carr (neon artist of Atomic Neon), the SKIF contingent (Elani, Dianna, Adrianna, and all the others who are always so good to us and I have to get names from Nina), Dorian Falco, The CommonSpace, Conference Technologies (Dennis Woodhouse and Jimmy), Suzie of Hanneke's Westwood Catering (the bartender), Mad Art Gallery, Amos (The Wine and Cheese Place), Karen Mullen, Ron Marabuto, Mitch Brown, Monica Potter, Katie and Harold (Ron's parents), all my Metropolis and Dinner Roulette friends, and all our guests and patrons who were encouraging, spirited, well-behaved, and just plain FUN. Apologies to any that I may have forgotten.