Next Artist In Residence Hails From Healdsburg Via France, Vietnam

HEALDSBURG, CA—A Healdsburg artist's work will soon be showcased at the Harmon Guest House as part of its latest rotating art installation series.

Several times a year, the award-winning, environmentally friendly hotel in downtown Healdsburg invites local artists to explore the property and create a site-specific work of art that reflects Sonoma County.

Manok Cohen's artwork was chosen for the next installation and is set to be on display from late April through August at The Rooftop. The seasonal showcase is called Beginnings and features a commissioned wall painting by Cohen as well as woven sculptural forms of brilliantly colored cable ties floating in space. Additional woven sculptures will greet guests in the hotel lobby, teasing the larger art piece above.

The hotel is hosting an interactive unveiling reception April 27 at The Rooftop.

“We’ve created this program at Harmon Guest House to be a canvas for thought-provoking art by talented artists with Sonoma County roots,” said Circe Sher, co-founder of Piazza Hospitality, which built and manages Harmon Guest House and its sister properties, Hotel Healdsburg and h2 hotel. “Manok Cohen’s stunning creations feature organic forms and textures, drawing inspiration from nature and the Sonoma County landscape. Her installation is taking advantage of Harmon’s spaces in new and exciting ways and should stand out among our collection of impactful, modern art that is thoughtfully placed throughout the hotel for guests and visitors to enjoy.”

Cohen was born in Laos to a Vietnamese mother and a French father. Cohen grew up in Normandy, France, following the outbreak of the Vietnam War. Her interest in art became evident at an early age when she began cultivating her talent in drawing and painting. In the late 1970s, Cohen spent a decade weaving tapestries in a small mountain village in the South of France. Her distinctive skillset garnered her a position at Kenzo, a fashion house in Paris, where she discovered the language of color and began painting on a larger scale. In the early 1990s, the natural beauty and range of the Northern California landscapes beckoned her to live and paint in Sonoma County. Cohen now resides in Healdsburg and Sea Ranch and is represented by the Lori Austin Gallery in Healdsburg and Sebastopol, and by Oli Gallery in Guerneville.

Cohen utilizes acrylic paint and mixed media on wood panels, allowing her to apply textures and layers of paint and then intentionally remove areas to expose the undercoats, resulting in greater depth. Working with cable ties is a more recent addition to her artistry, in which she draws upon her early experience with weaving techniques to create large-scale sculptures with flowing, organic forms. When creating art, her process is animate and intuitive. She works to develop pieces each viewer can interpret into a narrative of their own.

Guests can meet Cohen during a special unveiling of her installation from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House. There will be a community worktable where attendees can try creating their own cable sculptures. Complimentary tasting of spring rosé will be offered upon arrival, and favorite dishes and drinks will be available to purchase. The event is complimentary for all attendees, and no RSVP is required. Pets and children are welcome.

Committed To Art; Ideal For Wine-Country Getaways

Since opening its doors in 2018, Harmon Guest House has been committed to supporting the arts with a permanent collection of commissioned art and rotating temporary exhibitions from emerging California artists. Pieces are showcased in the halls, main stairwell and guest rooms. The artwork includes sculpture, photography, works on paper, site-specific installations, and wearable art—all referring to or addressing California art history or the immediate surroundings of Healdsburg.

Harmon Guest House also provides an ideal home base for an active and modern wine-country getaway. The eco-friendly property features adjoining rooms to connect with friends and family in suites and studio-style king rooms for a more intimate getaway. Guests can head to The Rooftop at Harmon Guest House, the hotel’s sophisticated rooftop lounge, to unwind and relax by a firepit with cocktails, appetizers and views of Fitch Mountain, the rolling hills and downtown.

See Harmonguesthouse.com for more information.