how we came to be

HOW WE CAME TO BE

The plan is hatched by Rebecca in January 2001. "Let's me, you, Frank, and Nina have an art show in the fall." We agree and begin to prepare. We look for space. We meet Ron through Frank and decide on a date. It coincides with Mad Art's one-year anniversary. A show is born.

We meet at Webster University as art students during the late 1980's.

Andrea and Rebecca first meet as freshman at William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri. Unchallenged, they decide to transfer to Webster University for their sophomore year.

Rebecca meets Nina in a printmaking class at Webster. They have a common interest...photography. Specifically, big prints. They also have in common an inordinate amount of energy. Nina shoots video of Rebecca's performance and conceptual exhibits. Andrea meets Nina.

Frank and Andrea have a painting class together. She admires his work but is somewhat intimidated by him. They share the semester but never get to know one another.

Rebecca and Frank meet in a conceptual art class and begin a long series of collaborative journaling and art projects.

Rebecca, Frank, and Nina live in St. Louis after graduation. Rebecca hosts the infamous 1992 Potato Party. Rebecca moves to San Francisco to attend art school.

Frank later joins Rebecca in California. Nina travels. She starts a business. Rebecca makes art. She teaches others. Andrea works. She works a lot. Frank moves back to St. Louis. He goes back to school. We all stay in touch with each other to varying degrees. We all make art to varying degrees. We all experience success and suffer failure.

We are friends. For 10-15 years we have found each other as curious, interesting, frustrating, and beautiful as we do life. And that is why we make art together.