REMEMBERING A LOST ARTIST
Campaign to preserve mural is underway
By Alexa Aguilar
Of the Post-Dispatch
In Kristopher Barks' eyes, his childhood buddy from Granite City was the "greatest artist ever."
That friend, Nathan McClain, was 24 years old when he and some friends decided to go swimming late one night in 1997 after a wedding reception in Louisiana, MO.
At around 2 a.m., McClain jumped off a bridge into the Mississippi River and drowned.
After McClain's death, Barks said he wanted others to know what a remarkable artist McClain had been.
He developed a website, www.natemcclain.com, that showcases different paintings from family and friends.
And when he learned that a large sports mural painted by McClain was about to be demolished in Granite City, Barks decided he had to save it for his longtime friend.
"The thought of this artwork being demolished over $500 was sickening to me," Barks said.
Five hundred dollars is what Rick Talley, principal at Coolidge Middle School, said it woudl cost to move the mural from its current location in a vacant store, formerly Ultimate Sports, in the Nameoki Village Shopping Center, to Coolidge.
McClain attended Coolidge.
The money would also pay for a protective covering for the mural after it is moved, Talley said.
Talley said he would be happy to find a place for the mural at Coolidge if Barks could raise the money.
Demolition of the vacant building is scheduled for mid-October.
Originally, Barks went to Granite City High School to see if school officials could display it there.
There was no room for the mural, which is 16 feet wide by 8 feet tall.
At Coolidge Middle, however, Talley said they could display it in the cafeteria.
"Nathan was a fun-loving man, very likable," Talley said.
"And he was an excellent artist."
Barks said Nathan loved art from early in life.
"From the first day I met him, when he was 4 years old, he was already making custom greeting cards," Barks said.
"He had a natural gift."
After graduating from Southwest Missouri State University, McClain moved into the 1500 block Washington Avenue in St. Louis.
"He was living the life of a starving artist," Barks said.
Barks said he's almost raised the $500.
Talley said the move is scheduled for Oct. 14.
"I had to do something," Barks said.
"We've maintained a friendship over 20 years.
In our eyes, he was the greatest artist ever."
This article was written regarding the
Ultimate Sports painting.
