Early Life and Artistic Beginnings Paraskeva Clark (née Plistik), born October 28, 1898, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, was the eldest daughter of Avdey Plistik and Olga Fedorevna—a peasant factory worker who instilled in her a deep appreciation for education and learning. Her family’s modest circumstances fostered an early awareness of societal challenges, shaping her artistic vision throughout her life. From a young age, Clark demonstrated a passion for literature and the arts, attending theatre performances whenever possible – a formative experience that would later inform her approach to v…