Kim M. Ebner - 2016
MHS 1976 Graduate
Kim M. Ebner, was first nominated to the Minerva High School Hall of Fame in 1996 by Donna Hafer. Since more information was needed to continue with the nomination, she was not inducted at that time. Linda Hanson has since added more information. We find that Ebner makes an excellent member of the Minerva High School Alumni Hall of Fame.
While a student at Minerva High, Ebner was active in both symphonic and marching bands. She was also active in pep and ski clubs all four years. After graduation she enrolled in the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She received an associates degree in 1979, and achieved the deans list in visual communications.
After graduation she accepted a position with Hallmark Cards Inc. in Kansas City. During her years at Hallmark (1979-2008), Ebner was a Senior Artist with the creation and product development team for all Hallmark products, including Shoebox greetings, Fresh Ink, package design, gift wrap and party. She also worked in the typography design/layout, and created and developed a Fresh Inkstore concept and merchandising prototype.
From 2008 to the present, Ebner has been active in her freelance Graphic Design business, Modern Interior Design and her Fine Art. Her graphic design business includes logos, t-shirts, product labels, postcards, banners, greeting cards, magazine layout/design and illustrations.
In her interior design business Ebner creates modern interior architectural design for clients. Her design acumen has been recognized in national media. In 2000 her personal home was featured in the Better Homes and Gardens"Remodeling Ideas” magazine. In 2009 her design for the “Ebner/Connelly" residence was featured in Spaces magazine and the Kansas City Star. She was also awarded the "Design Excellence” Bronze award from Kansas City Home and Garden magazine. In 2010 she won a second "Design Excellence” Bronze award from Kansas City Home and Garden magazine for "Kitchen Design” at the Fleming/Foos residence, Fairway Ranch, Kansas. This design was also featured in Spaces and Kansas City Home and Garden magazines in 2011.
Ebner then moved to Santa Fe, NM, to explore her fine art. During this time, she acted as an Art Advisor for Mark White Fine Art Gallery on Canyon Road, Santa Fe, in addition to working on her art. Her art pieces have been exhibited and sold in both Santa Fe and Kansas City.
Ebner returned to Kansas City, Missouri, in 2012 and continues to create her artwork and architectural designs. She has also resumed her charitable activities such as donation of art pieces to organizations focused on animal rescue and AIDS prevention and education.
Working for Hallmark was a dream Kim shared with her family and, after completing her education, she headed to Kansas City and made the dream a reality. Within a few weeks of her move from Minerva, however, her father, Cyril, died suddenly. Kim returned home and was very aware that her responsibilities as a daughter might require her to remain. Her mother, Shirley, would have none of it. Kim's dad was very proud and supportive of Kim's move to Hallmark. He wouldn't have wanted her to give it up. The dream remained alive.
Kim is an excellent role model for young women. Donna Hafer, who first nominated her for the Alumni Hall of Fame, felt it would be "beneficial for young people to realize that artistic abilities can be as worthwhile as others that people may consider to be more lucrative.”