For love of art

Golden West College instructor Darrell Ebert’s small office tells the

story of his life.

It’s littered with arts and crafts from around the world, places Ebert

has traveled to and lived in to enrich his artistic knowledge.

Indonesian masks, an Egyptian bust and Tuscan sculpture are some of the

treasures the design and sculptor instructor has brought back from his

adventures abroad.

“If you are involved in the arts, it encompasses your entire life,” Ebert

said. “My travels allow me to learn about design in other cultures and

bring back some of its aspects into my own work and teaching.”

Ebert has spent two years on Fulbright Scholarship in New Zealand, won a

research grant in Turkey and taught at an all-girls school in Taiwan.

In spite of his travels to the ends of the earth, Ebert said he is “not

one to promote myself.”

Nonetheless, Ebert was recently awarded the Huntington Beach Allied Art

Board’s Distinguished Educator Award for 1999.

Marilynn Tom, a former member of the board and Ebert’s colleague,

nominated him for the annual recognition.

The board received more than 30 nominations, Tom said.

Ebert said he was happy to receive the award in spite of the lavish

reception the city gave him at the ritzy Waterfront Hilton last month.

Former Huntington Beach Mayor Peter Green and other city officials were

present at the ceremony, Ebert said.

“I was just hoping he would show up,” Tom joked, referring to Ebert’s

low-key demeanor.

Tom said Ebert is “energy personified” for his involvement in several art

media, research and travels around the globe.

Ebert is now planning a trip to Burma and Vietnam for some of his

sculpture students.

“They have a wonderful art and architectural tradition that would relate

to our classroom work,” Ebert said.

In addition to teaching sculpture, Ebert is an accomplished painter. Some

of his works are on display at the college’s art gallery.

“I do painting to keep something for myself,” Ebert said. “When you teach

something all day, you want to work on something else when you are done.”

Ebert said he has exhibited his paintings internationally.

Originally from Northern California, Ebert has been an instructor at

Golden West College for 30 years.

But Ebert, 57, said he has not even thought of retirement.

“My love for teaching keeps me young and vital,” Ebert said. “I enjoy

watching the growth of young artists.”