BATH TWP.: Bonnie Cohen considers herself a designer first and a fine artist second.That motivates her to create artwork that is purposeful.“I try to personalize my art to convey the desired message of the client,” said Cohen, of Bath Township. “It just gives me a nice feeling to know that I’ve done something that expresses the intended message.”One of Cohen’s creations, called “Loving Acts of Kindness” has been selected for this year’s Mosaic Arts International. The annual juried exhibition displays the best contemporary mosaic art from around the world and runs March 1 to April 30 at the Lexington (Ky.) Center Museum and Gallery.The exhibit typically includes secular work, which makes the inclusion of Cohen’s Judaic artwork unusual, according to Gwyn Kaitis, vice president of the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) board of trustees. This year’s show includes the work of 56 artists from 24 states, Turkey, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa and Israel.“Mosaic art is one of the oldest forms in existence and it is undergoing a major resurgence. There are mosaic artists around the world who are working in the medium and doing innovative and contemporary work,” Kaitis said. “Along with preserving the ancient traditions of mosaic art, SAMA is dedicated to promoting the exciting work that is being done today in the medium. It is a medium that is enduring and timeless and is under-recognized in the world of fine art.”SAMA, based in Ligonier, Pa., has more than 1,200 members. Its annual exhibition presents an opportunity to showcase fine arts mosaics in a single venue and provide educational sessions about materials, techniques and the work being displayed.Mosaics involve fitting small pieces of rock, shell, tiles or glass together to create a pattern. Those included in SAMA’s exhibit include two- and three-dimensional and architectural works. Prizes will be awarded for the best in each category and for overall best.Cohen’s piece, which will be represented photographically in the exhibition, is a 6-by-12 foot wall sculpture made of recycled glass tiles, stone and handmade tiles. It was commissioned by Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, N.J., to pay tribute to congregants who have performed good deeds for their congregation and the larger community.The sculpture re-interprets Judaic symbols into a contemporary design and hangs on a donor wall at the conservative New Jersey synagogue. It is accompanied by the names of donors and a torah scripture: “Let them build me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them.”Cohen explains that the quote describes the building of the Mishkan — the portable sanctuary that God commanded Jews to build. In addition to the instructions, there is a detailed description of the menorah, which Cohen used as the starting point of her design. She combined a stylized image of a menorah with the Hebrew letter “shin,” which begins the word Shaddai (one of the names of God) to represent God’s presence and his gift of the torah.In Jewish tradition, the torah is at the heart of everything done on earth and the performance of good deeds makes it possible for God to dwell among the faithful, Cohen said. Adhering to the description in the torah, Cohen used blues, purples, reds and gold in her artwork, which is made predominantly from recycled mosaic glass tiles and unique handmade tiles that she positioned to give the artwork a feel of motion. “I put the menorah into action because it represents people who performed acts of loving kindness to help make the world a better place to live,” said Cohen, who works out of her studio at her home. “I am thrilled that this particular piece was chosen. It is one of my favorites. It’s just gratifying to know that I have done something that I am proud of, the client likes it and others recognize it as a work of beauty.” Cohen, who worked as a graphic designer in the corporate market for 15 years, is an award-winning designer who specializes in large scale mosaic art and artist–in–residence projects. She earned an undergraduate degree in fine arts from Carnegie Mellon University and completed studies in ceramics at the University of Akron.Her work has been commissioned for public and private spaces in health-care facilities, synagogues and community centers. Her work also has been included in other juried shows, galleries and museums.More information about Cohen and her work can be found at www.bonniecohen.com. For more information about SAMA, go to www.americanmosaics.org. Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com.