| Marilyn Rae Cohen bio/resume |
| As a child Marilyn exhibited her talent at an early age, knitting and crocheting at ages seven and eight along with learning other arts and crafts. One of her other favorite pastimes was studying the Encyclopedia with particular fascination to other cultures, ornamentations and artforms. Her interests in other country’s cultures was cultivated by studies in European , African, Middle Eastern, and Asian History, including study in Anthropology, comparative religion, humanities and art history. During the late 1960’s, she had the unique experience of being one of the only Americans to live in the International House of Philadelphia. Living there was a twenty-four-hour-a-day learning experience, interacting with students and professionals of all cultures, many of them studying at Moore College of Art, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, The Philadelphia College of the Arts (now the University of the Arts) and the Pennsylvania Ballet. She incorporated her love of art and culture from this unique socialization experience. Some of the activities included exchange of jewelry and art, poetry, stamps, collection of ornaments, clothing, ideas and friendship. |
| These life experiences have shaped her passion for her art evolution. Jewelry is her art expression. It is a constant quest to find the most unusual beads, stones, found objects, center pieces, antiques, buttons, and other components which can be integrated into a unique, original design. Marilyn prides herself in not only designing her pieces in her own preferential style, but also being able to design custom pieces with input from her individual clients. For example she has worked with clothing boutiques and clients to coordinate her pieces to the style or fashion statement the client wants to express. |
| For over 20 years, Marilyn has been designing and selling unique pieces mostly to retail boutiques, craft galleries, and department stores (including the trunk shows for Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue). She has concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic States, Florida and California, especially boutiques on Worth Avenue (Palm Beach, Fla.) and Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills, Ca.) A boutique client in Beverly Hills related to Marilyn how a famous movie producer purchased every piece of hers to give as Christmas presents for the crew and cast working on his current movie! Needless to say, these pieces are show stoppers. The wife of a well know casino owner would buy dozens of pieces in Atlantic City and display them in the Atlantic City and Las Vegas gift shops. |
| Marilyn has participated in quality craft shows, beginning with "Philadelphia Dresses the World." |
| One of the highest compliments an artist can get is recognition by her peers. Deans of Art schools, interior designers, authors, and other artists own and wear her pieces. Once she created all the jewelry pieces for an interior designer's "fairy tale" Renaissance wedding, each piece of jewelry different, from the elaborate multi-strand draped piece for the bride to the petite, one-of-a-kind antique amber crystal neckwear for the bridesmaids. |
| Marilyn
Rae Cohen was born in Philadelphia, PA, attended the University of Miami,
Coral Gables, Florida and finished her education at Temple University,
Philadelphia, PA, with degrees in Social Studies Education (1967) and a Masters Degree in
Elementary Education. (1972) Marilyn taught school in the Philadelphia Public School System for five years, emphasizing creative development, before concentrating on designing her own jewelry collection. |
| Return to the Marilyn Cohen studio |