Laura’s Background

Education

B.A., Human Ecology, 1984 – 1988. College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine.
Primary focus: Fine Arts, Arts Advocacy, Social Reform, and Feminist Theory; participated extensively in the participatory governance system of the College. Served on the Academic Affairs Committee (3 years) and the Women’s Advisory Committee (1 year).

Certificate of Completion, “The Grassroots Project,” 1981- 1982.
Sterling Institute, Craftsbury Common, Vermont. Intensive study: Forestry and Rural Resource Management.

Publications

Batchelder, Ann, and Nancy Orban, Eds. Fiberarts Design Book Five, Ashville, NC; Lark Books, 1995, Selected Artist, p. 27.

Cohn, Laura F., “At Home and Abroad: Discovering the Artist”, The Peregrine, Journal of College of the Atlantic Association. Summer, 1995

Manuaba, Nala, Adiputra, & L. Cohn, “Concepts of Sustainable Development in Balinese Traditional Society.” Proceedings: International Seminar on Sustainable Development, Human Ecology and Tourism. 1991

Adiputra, N. & L. Cohn, eds., Proceedings: International Seminar on Sustainable Development, Human Ecology and Tourism. 1991, 190pp.

Cohn, Laura F., “Bali Through the Eyes of a Human Ecologist”. College of the Atlantic News. Winter, 1990

Cohn, Laura F., “Bringing Human Ecology into a Living Balinese Reality”, The Peregrine, Journal of the College of the Atlantic Association. Fall, 1990

Experience & Skills

Sole Proprietor, From Bali to Us, Indonesia & America. 2020 – onward
Conceptualized and implemented the pivot from a physical annual show, From Bali to Bala, to an online e-commerce version of my import-export business, creating and launching the new website, and managing the promotional and fulfillment aspects.

Sole Proprietor, From Bali to Bala, Indonesia & America. 1995 – present
Manage all aspects of import-export business from selecting and buying handicrafts, packing and shipping, to customs documentation and clearance between Indonesia and America. Produce annual shows and sales of original contemporary batik paintings by Laura Cohn along with fine Indonesian handcrafts.

Director & Instructor, From Bali to Bala Summer Batik Art Workshops,
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. 1998 – present
Coordinate and teach intensive, week long batik workshops for families and adults.

Artist in Residence, 1998 – present.
Direct the creation, by students and parents, of permanent and collective batik fiber art installations; and provide multimedia presentation on Indonesian culture, art, and language. Philadelphia-area residencies have included the Wayne Elementary School, Ithan Elementary School, and Chatham Park Elementary School, the Montgomery School, and The Flint Hill School (Virginia).

Professional Artist, Indonesia & America. 1992 – present

Adjunct Faculty, Main Line Arts Center, Haverford, Pennsylvania. 1998 – 2001
Taught adult and family fiber classes.

Director, Indonesian Connections, Indonesia & America. 1992 – 1995
Conceptualize, produce, and export a collection of batik paintings which resulted in several annual exhibitions in selected US cities:
Marketing and Development: Write and coordinate press coverage. Cultivate databases and mailing list of approximately 7,000 people. Interface with local community, educational and school groups for exhibitions. Organize entertainment events, catering, as well as train and supervise exhibition staff. Financial Management: Secure sponsorship and funding from loans and grants. Responsible for comprehensive planning of annual budget. Art Direction: Plan and convert residential spaces into exhibition galleries. Design, construct, and install lighting and display units. Create multimedia installations involving slides, video, sound & light, with written documentation to promote cross-cultural education and outreach about Indonesia.

Batik Teacher, Artist Series Workshops, Textile Arts Center, Chicago, Illinois. Fall, 1994

Administrative Assistant, Bali – Human Ecology Study Group. Udayana University Medical School, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. 1990 – 1992
Editor of English Language publications. Principal writer and designer of “Tourists for Bali, Not Bali for Tourists: A Guide to Understanding Balinese Rituals and Customs”, an educational pamphlet for domestic and international tourists.

Consultant, Art for Our Environment – The Bali Project, Bali, Indonesia. 1991
Worked on “The Bali Project: Teaching Recycling Through a Community Based Art Project” in three parts: first, an art competition using waste plastics involving 80 schools in Bali; second, a video documentation of the competition; finally a traveling tour exhibiting the art pieces and video in grade schools throughout US.

Organizer, “International Seminar on Sustainable Development, Human Ecology and Tourism”, Bali, Indonesia. 1990
Served on Organizing Committee that coordinated conference for 300 international participants, speakers and government workers. Assisted with editing and translating of abstracts, papers and publications.

Assistant to the President, Alliance for Cultural Democracy.Champaign, Illinois. 1988 (Internship). Alliance for Cultural Democracy functions as a networking organization for community based and political artists, organizers and educators. Designed and implemented major donor drive, wrote grant applications, served on organizing committee for annual national conference.

Teaching Assistant, College of the Atlantic, “Two Dimensional Design”. Bar Harbor, Maine. Fall terms 1985 – 1987

Administrative Assistant, Teacher Education Program, College of the Atlantic, Bar Harbor, Maine,1986 – 1988
Contributed to the Self-Study Document on College of the Atlantic’s Teacher Education Program. Principal designer for program brochure.

Language and Computer Skills: Fluent in Indonesian language; Adept with IBM compatibles, desktop publishing & graphic design programs.