Clara and I first became acquainted while working as Resident Advisors at The School of the Art Institute where we both attended. She was a year above me and thus had a bit more time than I to develop her style and intention behind her practice. With a process and materials based practice that was heavily research and text based, Clara certainly wasn’t just an exception, she was exceptional. Although we didn’t develop anything close to the professional relationship we’ve established since her time at Home, I always respected Clara and her work, along with her work ethic. Despite Covid creating a sudden halt to my studies and my friendship with Clara, she managed to cross my mind and conversations more often than not. I often wondered where she ended up and what she was doing now as I knew there was little to nothing that could ever put a pause to Clara’s practice. I’m incredibly thankful that we were finally able to reconnect a little over a year ago now and have since become not just friends, but professional partners!