The Institute of Questionable Art has a long and venerable history, stretching back, by our own careful records, to last Tuesday.
The Founding Era
In the beginning (Tuesday, mid-morning) there was a kettle, an idea, and a man with strong opinions and nowhere to put them. From this humble configuration, an institution was born. We have since added a second mug, marking what historians (Nigel) call "the period of expansion."
The Great Traditions
Despite our youth, we have accumulated a rich tapestry of tradition:
- The Annual Gala, held once, attended by no one (see prior dispatch).
- The Ceremonial Squint, a gesture Nigel performs before approving any work, invented Wednesday.
- The Founders' Portrait, a photograph of Nigel looking unimpressed at a sunset, hung Thursday and already described as "a national treasure" in materials we wrote on Friday.
On the Question of Age
Visitors are often surprised to learn how recently we were founded. We encourage them to set this surprise aside. Age is a state of mind. We carry ourselves with the gravity of a centuries-old institution, and we expect to be treated accordingly, ideally before lunch.
A Living Heritage
Our history grows daily. By the time you read this, we may have acquired a third mug, or weathered another beige controversy. Such is the relentless pace of legacy.
The Archive, est. last Tuesday, keeper of all four days of our records