SPECIAL PROJECTS

Tree of Life Synagogue Memorial

CHAI                         ​חַי‎
An affirmation of Life
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I was one of 18 artists asked to create a mosaic to commemorate the lives lost in the horrific mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh PA in 2018.

My design centers on the word LIFE, CHAI in Hebrew, which is also the numerical equivalent of 18, a powerful & ritualistic number in the jewish tradition. I created the design, a simplified version of the tree of life, to iinclude eleven branches, each topped with a golden leaf, to commemorate the eleven lives lost in the incident. 

On a more personal note, my father's name, Chaim, is derived from the same root. As a first generation American, daughter of a holocaust survivor, I grew up with a keen awareness of anti-semitism, always trying my best to eradicate hatred and bigotry from my own life. It is an honor to contribute to this project. 
L'Chaim - To Life!

"From Darkness to Light" ~  exhibitions:
~ Skirball Museum in Cincinnati, OH - Feb. 24 - May 8, 2022
​~ Jodee Harris Gallery Seton Hill Arts Center, Greensburg PA - 8/29-9/30/2022
The exhibit will be traveling to several other locations before being installed at its final destination at the Tree of Life synagogue in PA.

International Virtual Symposium of Turkey - March 13-28, 2021

Tower of Contemplation - Digging Out & Rising Up

22" diameter x 62" - Marble, stone, several varieties of glass, gold smalti,  resin tiles, ceramic, glass marbles, plastic, handmade thin-set "stone", sea urchin spines, plaster, cement, powder pigments, tin cans.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Digging out from the depression of the daily news, 
I rise to the challenge.
Uncovering precious & forgotten materials, 
that urge me to action.
Spirits soar with the breath of creation,
blocking out the noise and panic.

“It is proper that noble spirits, equipped with truth and enlightened with the Divine intelligence, should arm themselves against dense ignorance by climbing up to the high rock and tower of contemplation.”  
​Giordano Bruno
______________________
Created as part of the First Virtual Mosaic Symposium, sponsored by Sardinia Contemporary Mosaic & Art.
22 artist from 14 countries participated.
April 13-25, 2020 
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Tower of Contemplation, Gila Rayberg - Hot Rain by Pat Hayes - Sculpture by Rick Otoupalik - Cinco Banderas Exhibit @ Artel Gallery - 2020

Master of Horse at The Ruins Project

In 2020 I was invited to create a portrait for an ongoing, international collaborative mosaic installation at The Ruins Project in Western Pennsylvania.  The project, owned & curated by Rachel Sagar, is located on the Great Allegheny Passage, at an abandoned coal mine site.  It celebrates the rich history of the coal mining industry.  

My subject is John Moskal, who was born in 1887 in Poland, and immigrated to the United States in 1907.  He was in charge of the horses at the coal mine.  He and other members of his family, worked in the mines, until it shut down in 1946.  

Read & see more on the creation of this work & the Ruins project in these blog posts - 
Blog - Master of Horse, behind the scenes
Blog - Installation at the Ruins
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International Symposium of Contemporary Mosaics

The work I chose to create for the symposium focused on the idea of the paths and choices we make during the course of our lives

​“Find Your Own Path & Leave a Trail” 

Artist Statement:  (2018)  This work is an homage to my mother, who died at the age I am today. she always encouraged me to be creative and follow my passions. The inclusion of natural materials from Sardinia (cork, stone, a button with an historic imprint & sea polished ceramics) help to express the significance of this unforgettable moment of my journey. The pointing fingers and maze are indicative of the choices we all make throughout our lives. Whichever path you choose, enjoy your time & leave a mark for others to follow.

​70 x 100 cm - Smalti, dishes, ceramic, stone, cork, cork bark & sea polished tile. 

Created for & during the Third International Symposium of mosaic art in Ploaghe, Sardinia Italy.
​ (July 31 - Aug 11, 2018) 
Permanent collection of Contemporary Mosaic & Art Association, Ploaghe. Sardinia Italy

​In August of 2018 I was invited to participate in the 3rd annual INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM of CONTEMPORARY MOSAICS in Ploaghe, Sardinia, Italy!  It was an intense three week artist residency which included the exchange of ideas, artistic support, and extremely hard work by 9 determined & independent women mosaic artists from 7 countries.  Our theme: TEXTURES,WARPS, PATHS – FRAGMENTS OF COLORS FROM THE EARTH, was given to us just weeks before arriving on site.   Each of us created our own 3-dimensional wall mosaic while working together in a 14th century ex-convent open to the public.  The artistic director of the symposium is Giulio Menossi from the Norther Italian city of Udine.  The event was facilitated and organized by Sardinia Contemporary Mosaic & Art.  It was truly a huge honor to be invited and hosted by the local sponsors and the municipality of the City of Ploaghe during their 500 year traditional festival known as “Ferroagosto”, an amazing celebration of mosaic art, culture, friendship, and the world coming together in this small and enchanting Sardinian village! 
​Grazie mille!