Jacob and Rebecca share the experience of growing up cross-culturally and feel called to serve as bridge-builders. Jacob grew up in Slovakia, his parents are from Iowa; Rebecca grew up in Switzerland & Canada and immigrated to Iowa. Both were drawn to art as a means to process their cross-cultural experiences and have come to see that art can be a way to communicate truth. They especially value illustrating children’s books to nurture imagination, gratitude, and an appreciation for God’s creation.

Jacob works as the Education Specialist at the National Czech/Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, IA USA hosting folk arts workshops and classical music concerts for the region. He is interested in building up a folk art academy with the museum. Since completing their artist residency at the Burren College of Art in Ballyvaughan, Ireland fall of 2023, Jacob and Rebecca collaborate in an Art & Ecology practice. They are grant funded by the Iowa Council for the Arts to create art for the purpose of conservation through their 2023-2024 Iowa Oak Project.