The Clark Collection is a contemporary art collection founded by Bob Clark, Executive Chairman and Founder of Clayco. It is rooted in a lifelong appreciation for art, architecture, and the act of building — the same spirit that informed the founding of Clayco, grounded in the belief that construction is both an art and a science, and that what we create should extend beyond individual projects to strengthen communities.
From the beginning, Bob Clark's work has been connected to community building and economic development — with the understanding that thoughtful investment creates lasting impact. That philosophy carries directly into the collection. At its core is a commitment to artists who are emerging and moving forward with purpose: voices that bring new energy, perspective, and a willingness to challenge convention.
Supporting these artists is not only about acquisition. It is about advocacy — creating space for their work, their ideas, and their continued growth. Equally important is the belief that art should be experienced. The collection is designed so that works are visible, engaged with, and part of lived environments rather than stored away. In doing so, the creative process is honored, and the work is able to reach and resonate with a broader public.
The Clark Collection is an ongoing effort to connect people, ideas, and places through art — with the hope that it contributes meaningfully to the communities it touches and helps expand the cultural conversation.
The Clark Collection was founded by Bob Clark and has been shaped over time by those closest to him. It reflects the influence of the Clayco enterprise and LJC architecture teams, the Clark family, and the late Ellen S. Clark, whose perspective and passion left a lasting imprint on the collection's direction and values. Jane Clark continues to play an active role in guiding and shaping the collection today.
For Bob, collecting has never been separated from his life's work. It is grounded in the same principle that has guided his career: that what we build should contribute to stronger communities and create opportunities for others. The collection extends this philosophy into the cultural sphere.
This vision is reflected in a sustained focus on emerging artists whose work carries a sense of momentum, originality, and forward-looking perspective. The intention is not only to collect, but to recognize and support artists who are actively shaping the future of contemporary art.
Over time, this commitment has expanded to include support for institutions and initiatives that share these values — including The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and The Art Institute of Chicago, among others. These partnerships are part of a broader effort to strengthen the arts ecosystem and increase access to meaningful cultural experiences.
At its core, the Clark Collection is meant to be shared. Envisioned as a public-facing resource, it seeks to connect audiences with artists and ideas — encouraging engagement, fostering dialogue, and contributing in a lasting way to the communities it serves. Works are designed to be visible and part of lived environments, not stored away, so that the creative process is honored while the work reaches as wide a public as possible.
The Clark Collection is curated by Stavroula Coulianidis, a New York-based curator who has dedicated her practice to exhibiting and advocating for emerging and rediscovered international artists. As Curator, Stavroula is responsible for elevating the collection's global profile and expanding its visibility, the acquisition of new artworks, organizing exhibitions within the collection's headquarters, and developing opportunities for living artists. She is also the founder of STAV, a curatorial organization dedicated to supporting contemporary underrepresented artists.
The Clark Collection is a contemporary art collection founded by Bob Clark, Executive Chairman and Founder of Clayco. It is rooted in the same philosophy that guided the building of Clayco — that what we create should strengthen communities and create lasting impact. The collection is focused on emerging artists whose work carries momentum, originality, and a forward-looking perspective, and is envisioned as a public-facing resource designed to connect audiences with artists and ideas.
The Clark Collection was founded by Bob Clark. It has been shaped over time by those closest to him, including the Clayco and LJC architecture teams, the Clark family, the late Ellen S. Clark — whose perspective and passion left a lasting imprint on the collection's direction — and Jane Clark, who continues to play an active role in guiding and shaping the collection today.
The Clark Collection is a direct extension of the philosophy that built Clayco: that construction is both an art and a science, and that what we build should contribute to stronger communities and create opportunities for others. Bob Clark has never separated collecting from his life's work — the collection carries the same values of community investment, thoughtful development, and belief in the power of what is created to outlast any individual project.
The Clark Collection focuses on emerging artists whose work carries momentum, originality, and a forward-looking perspective — voices that bring new energy and a willingness to challenge convention. The intention is not only to acquire work, but to advocate for artists by creating space for their work, their ideas, and their continued growth. Supporting these artists is understood as an act of recognition as much as collection.
The Clark Collection is curated by Stavroula Coulianidis, a New York-based curator dedicated to exhibiting and advocating for emerging and rediscovered international artists. She is responsible for the collection's acquisitions, exhibitions, global visibility, and developing opportunities for living artists. She is also the founder of STAV, a curatorial organization dedicated to supporting contemporary underrepresented artists.
The Clark Collection is envisioned as a public-facing resource. Works are designed to be visible, engaged with, and part of lived environments rather than stored away — honoring the creative process while allowing the work to reach a broader public. The collection also supports partner institutions including The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and The Art Institute of Chicago as part of a broader effort to strengthen the arts ecosystem and increase access to meaningful cultural experiences.
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