NYC’S 92ND St. art center honors ECU’s Ebendorf

East Carolina University artist Robert Ebendorf was recently honored for leadership and achievement in American art by New York City’s prestigious 92nd Street Y Art Center.

Ebendorf was one of four artists honored at the Dec. 5 Anniversary Gala for the center, which has a long history of cultural and creative programming.

“I am humbled to receive this honor,” said Ebendorf, who holds the Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Professorship of Art at ECU. “The 92nd Street Y Arts Center is truly a creative oasis and a widely acknowledged success story for community arts teaching and enrichment.”

Founded in 1874 as the Young Men’s Hebrew Association, the 92nd Street Y Art Center now serves as a lecture hall, a performance space, a school, a health center and a community organization for all populations around the world.

Charlotte V. Brown of the Gallery of Art and Design at North Carolina State University introduced Ebendorf and presented the award for significant contributions to American art.

“Robert Ebendorf has reshaped our understanding of adornment; his jewelry has transformed the field. Bob’s success as a teacher has widened the opportunities for makers and audiences alike and his influence can be found everywhere jewelry and metal work are made.”

In 2004 a 40-year retrospective of Ebendorf’s work toured the country with a final destination at the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery in Washington D.C. Also in 2004, he was inducted into the Metalsmith Hall of Fame.

The other artists recognized are: Philip Pearlstein, Leo Steinberg and Betty Woodman.

“Because of (his) respected body of work and dedication to and passion for art, (Ebendorf) exemplifies the 92nd Street Y Art Center’s ongoing commitment to artistic excellence,” wrote Robert Gilson, director of the center’s School of the Arts.