Artwork Detail

Ben's Promise, Robin, Jenny, Eric, Ralph & Lynne

Artist: Katzer, Elaine

Object Date: 1975

Medium: Ceramic

Imperial Dims: Overall: 60 x 249 in.

Department(s): Public Library

Address Name: Clifton M. Brakensiek Library

Supervisorial District: 4

Above the north and south entrances of the Clifton M. Brakensiek Library are two stoneware ceramic bas-relief murals by Elaine Katzer. The north wall mural titled, Ben’s Promise, and the south wall mural titled Robin, Jenny, Eric, Ralph, and Lynne are both named after and dedicated to Katzer’s children. The fluid and natural shapes in both murals reference birth and life.:

Elaine Katzer received her BA and MA from California State University, Long Beach and also studied for four years at the Chouinard Art Institute, which later became the California Institute of the Arts. She is a professional ceramic sculptor who uses a hand-built pinch method to construct murals, water walls, fountains, and sculptures. She has taught ceramics at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills and was an artist in residence at Monash University in Australia.: