Elizabeth on her Laptop

Elizabeth on her Laptop

Cover | Ellen Heck

Elizabeth on her Laptop (Woodcut, drypoint and aquatint print on Somerset velvet paper, 2009, 15”x22”). Artist Ellen Heck created this work as the first in a series of 10 images in her print portfolio, Plus a Century. The title references the etchings of Impressionist artist Mary Cassatt, known for her images of women and mothers with children. Heck’s prints respond to Cassatt’s compositions with contrasting views of contemporary women. As part of Kala Art Institute’s 35th anniversary celebration, Heck’s work is featured in On View: New Work from Kala, May 1–Aug. 15, at the new gallery at 2990 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley—part of Kala’s expanded facility. For info: (510) 549-2977 or www.kala.org.

Faces of the East Bay

In the Philanthropic Swim

In the Philanthropic Swim

Rockridge residents John Bliss and Kim Thompson may live far removed the gritty flats of East and West Oakland. But this philanthropic couple see themselves as one with the citizens of Oakland, particularly those who are struggling financially, and they’re leading a campaign to get their “financially blessed” peers to invest in the community like they have by funding city programs to teach kids how to swim.