By Rich Guy Miller, Staff Writer

Cheryl Ehlers has done something “they” said couldn’t be done. She created The Stardust Arts, that will be bringing art education to the Oceanside Unified School District beginning early September. Like many of her multi-media art creations, Cheryl began with an emotion and an awareness of a grant opportunity. The Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation’s “Artist Outreach Project” offers accomplished artists an opportunity to contribute to their community by providing art experiences to an underserved, local group.

The Stardust Arts Program Cheryl created is an after-school program for children in grades three through five. This art teacher and mentor’s goals are to encourage artistic perception and expression by teaching basic techniques, color theory and artistic styles, developing imagination, and building competency through consistent effort. Cheryl’s love for children comes from seeing their active imaginations and their free access to emotion, “the essence of all artistic expression.”

Cheryl is an effervescent local personality. Not the stereotypical right-brained introvert artist, Cheryl is full of exuberance and interesting questions. It is no wonder that the Oceanside school district has opened their arms to her art classes. With their administrative support, Cheryl’s enthusiasm and the Foundation’s funding of supplies, more students are signing up than were planned for in the project’s original scope.

Cheryl’s accomplishments were a part of qualifying for the grant award and selling of The Stardust Arts Project. A local artist since 1982, Cheryl’s works can be seen in many local galleries including the Del Mar Art Center Gallery. A current exhibit of her florals can be seen at Carlsbad’s Le Passage French Bistro at 2961 State St. This is her and bistro owner Laura Reyer’s contribution to the “Thursdays on the Coast” evenings that support local commerce, the arts and the wider community. Many locals know the bistro for the scrumptious and artful chocolate creations sold at the Chocolate Bar there.

“Creating art can become a great resource for living in the real world,” Cheryl points out. Art allows the practitioner to think creatively, openly express their feelings, learn to accept feedback, comprehend how elements in a composition fit together, build confidence, step out of restrictions without hurting others, try different approaches to practical problems and learn to reinvent one’s perspective. “Education without art is not a well rounded education,” she says with her actions and heart.

Because of the growing response to the program, donations of additional art supplies are being sought. A local venue to host a January and June student recital is yet to be found.

Cheryl can be reached at 760-519-1551 or through This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also lend your support by thanking her many sponsors as listed on TheStardustArts.com website. The Carlsbad Village Association’s Josephina Disalvo and Robin Young have given valuable assistance, and Victor Nelson, The Kenneth A. Picerne Foundation’s executive director is to be congratulated for his service.

Enjoy more of Cheryl’s award-winning art at her website, www.cparrotiseart.com, and stay abreast of the upcoming student recitals at www.TheStardustArts.com.

P.S. If you liked the above article and would like a story about your business or organization, email staff writer Rich Guy Miller at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it biz.