Meet the Team

Danny is a transplanted Texan who has called Cardiff by-the-Sea his home since 1994. After serving in Vietnam, Danny moved from Houston to Dallas and in 1978 started his own company designing and installing conveyor systems. Once he and his wife moved to California he devoted full time to his passion for metal sculpting and welding, creating Biosculptures. Danny is on the board of the Encinitas Art, Culture and Ecology Alliance. He is also the President of the 101 Artists’ Colony, and helped make the Arts Alive public art exhibit one of the largest art events in Encinitas. He founded Full Moon Poets in 2000, producing annual poetry slams at the La Paloma Theater and the fun zone at Safe Trick or Treat in downtown Encinitas. He has received numerous art and civic awards, including “Citizen of the Year” bestowed by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce in 2010. Danny has worked in zoos as an employee and a volunteer, as well as for cultural and civic organizations in Encinitas. He is proud to serve on the Surfing Madonna Oceans Project board and appreciates the opportunity to help preserve and share our beautiful coastline and marine life.

Cheryl Ehlers

Treasurer
Program Administrator
Board Member

Cheryl was born in northern California and raised in Europe for most of her formative years, she moved back to California and now resides in Carlsbad, CA. Always interested in the power of creativity, she is both an award winning and published artist who works in a variety of genres in fine art painting, graphic and textile design, using a variety of mediums to express herself.

"I am fundamentally interested in creating works that call for the participation of the audience to the same extent as my involvement in it. The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery of the story, and evoke basic human emotions."  

One of her passions is representing essential environmental elements of global conservation through art.  Her outreach spans as far as Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, and into Europe. She is a known presence in North County, San Diego, and an art advocate who is endlessly championing for emerging and professional artists alike to succeed, grow and thrive in the arts.

​In line with her endeavors, Ehlers is the founder of numerous art ventures supporting artists in local communities with awareness, opportunity, and education for youth.  She believes you should always a line yourself with something of importance that is much bigger than yourself, so you are able to give the best of who you are back into your community.
 
Ehlers formed The Stardust Arts, for underserved youth in 2009 and continues to nurture youth. ​ The Stardust Arts is recognized by the California State Assembly and the San Diego Board of Supervisors for it's contributions to youth in the communities of North San Diego County. Ehlers believes, that art can have a tremendous impact, and advises students and adults, “don't be afraid to explore yourself, or be concerned what others might think, just be confident in your beliefs”.