Art was always a part of both their lives growing up.  Mark's sister went to Kendall School of Art & Design back when it was on College Street.  She brought school projects home and according to his brother, "The little brat always had to have a project to do."  The family regularly came to Grand Rapids to visit her in her Heritage Hill apartment.  The Heritage Hill area had a huge impact on Mark.  Heritage Hill is one of the largest urban historic districts in the country.  It was the first "neighborhood" of Grand Rapids and is adjacent to downtown.  Its 1,300 homes date from 1848 and represent over 60 architectural styles.  These were the homes of lumber barons, teachers, judges, and legislators who shaped Grand Rapid's future.      Today the population is equally diverse.  Professionals, trades people, artisans and students; singles, couples and families, renters and homeowners; people of all colors, backgrounds and incomes make Heritage Hill home. 

Mark's aunt and uncle were serious antique collectors (his Uncle was an oriental rug expert).  Mark spent a great deal of time with them, especially after his father died when Mark was 10.  His aunt and uncle were involved in the renovation of the Honolulu House in Marshall Michigan.  They, along with a few select friends, bought and renovated the Montague Inn in Saginaw, Michigan.  They filled the Montague Inn with incredible antiques!  Mark's uncle would play games with Mark at auctions, such as "OK what piece is going to go for the most?" and more often than not, Mark would get it right.  His uncle said he had a real eye for art, antiques, and design.  A favorite story about the Inn...It was all done and his uncle asked Mark what he thought, Mark said everything was awesome except the bar room, he said the bar itself was too small and plain. His uncle laughed and said "Right again"!

Suzanne grew up on the edge of Heritage Hill in Grand Rapids.  She and her mother were heavily involved with the opening of the Race Street Art Gallery.  They cleaned, painted, licked stamps for the mailing list, were IN a Picasso Tableau, cut up tons of cheese for and poured a lot of wine for shows, worked a Festival booth and on and on. That gallery is now The Urban Institute for Contemporary Art downtown!

They were taught to be helpful and that serving others was very important.  Volunteering and working were both a big part of their lives while growing up. They both also spent a lot of time with people with disabilities.  Suzanne's cousin suffered a brain injury from a fever when she was a baby and they were very close.  Suzanne regularly volunteered for the Special Olympics and went to her cousin's basketball games etc. One of  Mark's sisters is a special education teacher and she regularly brought groups of these special kids home. 

Mark came to Grand Rapids in 1988 with $65.00, a suitcase of clothes, and a 2 month agreement to live with his brother.  Yard sales and dumpster diving were the best way to furnish a very cool tiny apartment he eventually found in the hill.  He was working at Z's Bar.  Suzanne was managing a jewelry/accessories store at City Centre, where they met.  She had a small pick-up truck so it was a perfect match! 

They love finding creative ways to make life easier and more fun for ourselves and others -- they always have and always will! 

Let's explore how to build one...