The New Dawn Blooms
Summit County Courthouse
New Dawn Blooms is the crowning piece of the Curated Court House project in the Historic Summit County Courthouse. In a space where most people are in the building for a purpose that is unhappy, this strong work provides joy and a belief in better things to come. In a similar way, Bonnie entered this space in some of the darkest days in a generation. With Covid and civic strife all around us, she was a light that brightened not just our halls but our days. Working with her was always a joy and the light and beauty of the piece are a reminder of the light and joy she brought to this work.
Bonnie incorporated Akron Public School art students from three communities in our city into her work. In doing so, she managed outreach to students at a time when they were struggling to connect back to their community and now gives them something to see when they come back here as adults to get a marriage license, adopt kiddos, or just show off the work that they did to their grandchildren. She accomplished this work through innovative and enthusiastic recordings shared across the internet since she could not yet enter the classrooms and meet the students. Our culminating celebration when these students had a chance to see the piece for the first time and have a talkback session with Bonnie was truly awe-inspiring.
Every day when employees enter the court we look to the shining piece in our halls. Thousands of people every year will see and be given the opportunity to believe that a new dawn can bloom if only we are brave enough to be it!
"Lisa Mansfield, Community Outreach Specialist, Summit County Probate Court"
Adler Aphasia Center
Maywood,NJ
We love how the wall has inspired our donors, the pride the members have taken in pointing out the flowers they crafted, and the warm and welcoming feeling it exudes when any person walks in the Center. It was such a pleasure from beginning to end to work with you. The process and the wall you and the members and volunteers created says so much about who we are as a Center and how we want all those that enter our program to feel as they navigate life with aphasia.
Karen Tucker, Executive Director
I’m surprised your ears aren’t ringing regularly as I am constantly mentioning your name as the creator of our donor wall every time we have a new person walk through the door and see this wonderful wall! Everyone is blown away by its beauty and significance.
Elissa Goldstein, Director of Development and Communications
This epitomizes the quote “When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece”.
Just spectacular, Bonnie.
"Amy May, Executive Administrative Assistant"
Cleveland State University
Washkewicz College of Engineering
When we set out to decide on the art project, I told everyone that “when they take down this building 100 years from now, I want them to take one look at the art and say “we are saving this!” During the selection process, it was clear to me your vision had the potential to reach that goal. Well, I can’t predict what will happen in 100 years, but I am confident that your art will be saved well beyond this building’s life
"Dr. Anette M. Karlsson, Ph.D.
Former Dean, Washkewicz College of Engineering"
Jewish Senior Agency
Providence,RI
I have never met an individual more caring, spiritual and able to understand the needs of a project. I can only say that you would be blessed to have someone like Bonnie to work with you.
Washington Hebrew Congregation
Washington,DC
Bonnie Cohen was an absolute dream of a partner for the recognition wall outside our Charles S. Bresler Tikkun Olam Values (TOV) Center. Like the skilled mosaicist she is, she ably synthesized the disparate facets of our congregation’s vision for the project, including our deep-seated dedication to social action, grounding in Jewish text and symbolism, and an elegance that complements our building’s heritage as the oldest and largest synagogue in the nation’s capital. The dazzling work of art she created reflects our mission and honors the contributors who made this work possible. Small touches, such as handcrafting hamsas stamped with our animating values, embellishing the lead donors’ names with gold, or ensuring that our materials were produced as sustainably as possible, demonstrated that she is as intentional and insightful she is creative. The modular system of tiles bearing our donors’ names was an innovative touch that will help us continue to grow. She articulated the significance of each aspect of the project in an eloquent and moving statement. Throughout the design process, she partnered seamlessly with a broad spectrum of clergy, staff, and lay leaders. At every step of the way, she worked tirelessly and with meticulous attention to detail, delivering a finished product that exceeded our already sky-high expectations. Should the need for another recognition project arise – and we hope it does! – I would reach out to Bonnie immediately to work her magic.
"Miriam Feffer,Director of Development"
The Welch Architectural Sign Company
Scarborough,ME
Bonnie’s talents go far beyond creating beautiful commissioned art. Bonnie puts her heart into all aspects of her work, and she always strives for perfection. She has an uncanny ability to listen to a client and reach into the soul of the organization to ensure that the donor wall art reflects their values.
I have had the pleasure of working with Bonnie for several years on many projects. Our work together involves designing, fabricating and installing donor walls that reflect the values of our mutual clients. She is my go-to artist for many reasons, foremost among them are her creativity, collaborative style and passion.
Her background in graphic design allows us to present renderings that help the customer understand what they will receive. Her professionalism and organization skills make our job easier. She never misses a deadline and can work within established budgets. How so many terrific qualities find their way into one artist can be described with one word…”heart”
"Kathy Davis, Vice President"
Temple Anshe Hesed
Erie.PA
As our Temple President, Edie Joseph, wrote in her speech for our Temple Dedication.
“When you walk into our sanctuary, it is hoped you feel a sense of peace. The designer of our Ark, Bonnie Cohen, captured the representation of our congregation so beautifully. She understood the essence of who we are.”
From our first meeting, Bonnie listened to the history of our congregation and the journey to move from our 80-year-old building to our new home. She knew that we needed to take some of that history with us, so she incorporated the stained glass from our old synagogue into the mosaic of the Ark. She knew that we needed to work within the design of the
architecture and created the theme; “Spread over us your shelter of peace.” When the Ark opens to reveal our five Torahs, our congregation is uplifted and drawn into prayer. It is truly peaceful, inspiring, inviting and unique.
Bonnie has been our partner in this holy and sacred work, and we cannot thank her enough for her dedication to our congregation.
"Ina Fischer, Building Committee Chair"
Temple Beth Shalom
Cherry Hill, NJ
Everything about our donor wall requires an exclamation point! I do not have the gift of words to describe the infinite elation I feel when looking and even thinking about the most beautiful donor wall on the planet! It looks like a magnificent piece of artwork that just happens to double as a donor wall. Thank you for the beautiful work…and the perfection of the install. Bonnie put her entire heart and soul into this piece. We knew from the minute we read her artist’s statement that we were on the right track and there could simply be no other artist who could define us so well. And when we spoke to her…it was obvious, a proper match had been made! Her work is positively glorious! Outstanding doesn’t even begin to describe. Stunning. Magnificent. Undeniably beautiful. The comments I have heard so far are purely spectacular.
Northshore Synagogue
Syosset,NY
How can I tell you the impact your extraordinary artwork has had on everyone who sees it. Eyes light up, people stand and stare. The expressions of amazement and wonder at the beauty and talent that are so clearly displayed on the wall of our building are joyous to behold. You created something spectacular that lights our hallway and our hearts. Thank you from the bottom of mine for making this piece so special and allowing us to share in your vision. I know the wider congregation will feel its joy, especially at the High Holy Days, and it will enhance our synagogue and our synagogue experience for as long as our building stands.
Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s CapitalWashington, DC
The donor wall is up and we are in awe. Thank you for providing our community with such a meaningful piece of art. The kids were abuzz when they saw it, and every staff member and parent who saw it was deeply moved by its beauty. We will cherish this gift of art that you’ve given us. Thank you.
"Joshua Suchoff, Director of Development"
Bowling Green College of Health and Human Services
Bowling Green, Ohio
I so much enjoy seeing your art every day as I come to work; it is truly an inspiration, and just beautiful. It enhances the space, is thought-provoking, while still being lovely to look at. BGSU was fortunate to attract your talents.
"Lynne Hewitt PhDProfessor BGSU"
Central State University
Wilberforce, Ohio
As a first-generation college student, those words remind me that I hold the power to break any negative cycles in order to start new, positive ones,” said Ford, a senior majoring in early childhood education. “For the students of Central State University, Ms. Cohen’s piece is symbolic of where we and those before us came from. It is symbolic of where we aim to be and efforts to make our forbearers proud.
"Ebenie Ford, CSU student government vice-president"
Temple Beth Ami
Rockville,MD
Bonnie was a pleasure to work with every step of the way, cooperative, professional, helpful, a total delight. She is warm, friendly, and as a professional Jewish educator, able to make her art especially meaningful. Her artwork is stunning in its beauty and color and is now the major focal point in our lobby.