By Marcy Rosner
Ricki Lent and Robyn Miller make a great team. Together they designed and fabricated a beautiful 4’ by 6’ceramic and stained-glass mosaic that permanently hangs in Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel Elkins Park, PA. It was started in 2019 and 2 years later, in spite of the pandemic, was finally installed. This was the first time the two friends collaborated together on a commissioned piece.
As soon as I began my interview, I knew it was a match made in heaven. The rapport was relaxed as the conversation just flowed. Each took turns speaking; sometimes finishing each other’s sentences. They looked to each other for reassurance and to double check facts. Technical issues were handled by whomever could fix the problem at hand.
Ricki had designed and installed many large scale mosaic murals during her years working for Network Arts in Philadelphia. She was commissioned by Keneseth Israel ten years ago to create a mosaic which was installed at the entrance to the KI religious school. The mosaic was in honor of Rabbi Lance Sussman’s 10th anniversary at KI. Rabbi Sussman is devotee of the arts. He wanted a colorful and uplifting entrance to the school. Robyn, who lives across the street from the building, looking out her window one morning saw Ricki working on the mosaic. Having known each other before, she went over and volunteered to help. Their friendship continued.
Ricki and Robyn are both members of Keneseth Israel synagogue (KI) and well-known mosaic artists in the community. They were first approached about the exciting project during the summer of 2019. They were asked to create a mosaic for the lobby to be installed above the doors entering the Neumann Chapel.
Initially, they were told the theme was open ended. Their first sketch, with a Tree of Life theme, was rejected as another artist had already created a quilt with that theme. Subsequently, the donors, Evonne and Isaak Kruger, gave them a specific direction. The mosaic was to be titled “Seven Species of Israel “(Shivat Haminim). The elements are Grapes/ Pomegranates/ Olives/Figs/Dates/Wheat/Barley. The donors selected the seven species for this theme because of their family’s deep interest in sustainability and Israel. They wanted the art rooted in Torah and to reflect both Israel and their love of nature. To further their knowledge of the species, the artists began researching.
Separately, Ricki and Robyn came up with ideas for the design. Each drew sketches and were amazed at how similar in content and design they were. They melded the two sketches using Ricki’s drawing and adding many of Robyn’s elements. The final sketch was accepted in December 2019 with the understanding they could moderate and change as they went along.
By March 2020, they had completed the 4’x6’ black and white sketch using a grid method. They were ready to start. Then the pandemic hit and they were not all confident the project would happen. They did not think about it for 4 months. To their pleasant surprise, they received an email from KI in June that they were on. This became their “Pandemic Project”.
They began the actual piece in July 2020, one year after the initial contact. They worked separately, in their own studios, as well as together, masked. They were fortunate that the synagogue was empty so they were able to turn a vacant art room into an ideal studio.
They knew the piece would be too high to install themselves. They met with a synagogue member in August, who had professional experience and had worked on other KI projects. He suggested they use ½’ wedi board as a substrate. Initially, they thought they would have to make 3 separate panels. They were pleased when they realized it could be made on one large piece of wedi. By September they had transferred the line drawing onto the wedi using white carbon paper. The installer mounted it to ½’ plywood, added a frame and drilled 8 holes for bolting it to the panels above the doors.
During the Fall of 2020 the individual ceramic pieces were made. The tasks were divided: Ricki created all the vines, leaves, pomegranates, flowers and grapes. Robyn created the sheaves of wheat and barley, olives and figs. In their separate studios, they worked from traced drawings to create the ceramic relief tiles. They met at KI to discuss glaze colors. Numerous samples were made in Robyn’s kiln until they were both satisfied, leaving Ricki with an overabundance of grapes and flowers. The individual pieces were attached to the wedi. They were ready to assemble it on site.
The next step to complete the art work was the stained-glass background. The goal was to allow the fruits and flowers to stand out, making it a very dimensional piece. This was very time consuming, taking about 3 months. They shopped for the best colors, not wanting the background color to compete with the tiles. Ultimately, they used a lot of almond color and iridescent glass that would change with the lighting. Gold mirror was also included. They traced the shapes, making templates, then cut out each piece. They used grinders to fit each piece perfectly as well as a Taurus Ring Saw. Placement was essential as they paid particular attention to grout lines.
By June they were ready to grout. A neutral grey was used. They were able to lay it on a flat table, rather than vertically, which made the process much easier.
The finish line was nearing. Installation day was in August 2021. A dedication of the Seven Species of Israel Mosaic was held on September 26, 2021. Donors, artists, and synagogue members were all delighted with the finished mosaic!
So, what was it like for these two women to work together on such an important commission and what made it successful?
Similarities in their focus certainly made it easier. They both are sculptural ceramicists and colorists. They both really like color and organic form. They like each other’s work very much, although different from their own.
In their words, “mutual admiration society”, “and we are still friends!”. They consider themselves to be very lucky that there were really no conflicts. If they didn’t see something the same way, they discussed it, met in between, and compromised. There was lots of trial and error, but consensus was always reached. Critiques were accepted graciously. They came in with their own experiences, strengths and styles; an advantage for team work. They yielded to each other when appropriate.
I asked what they learned from or admired most about each other. Robyn appreciates the technical advice Ricki shared. Because she had more experience with large installations, her techniques often saved them a lot of time and energy. For example, grouting on a table flat surface rather than on the vertically on the wall, and enlarging the drawing using a grid. Robyn brought some helpful tools: two pairs of magnifying goggles and her covid treat to herself, a Taurus ring saw, which Ricki had never used. Ricki also really appreciates Robyn’s sense of color and vibrancy.
The final piece definitely represents both the artist’s styles. Both signatures appear at the bottom in permanent marker.
Robyn and Ricki gave a presentation on the “Seven Species of Israel” mosaic mural at the Mosaic Society of Philadelphia meeting on Sunday 1/23/22, delving deeper into their process and experiences.
