In 1936 400 high school art student's work were selected for an exhibit at Rockefeller Center in New York City. There were 150 works submitted from Omaha. Three student's from Central High School were selected. The Art teacher was Miss Mary Angood. Bruce Jepson was one of the artists selected. The other two students were John Mossman (painting on silk) and Zell Abrahamson(a landscape). A dry brush technique was used, which, I guess back then they called it "fresco". The Omaha World Herald article states that, Bruce's piece was a figure of a young girl. There isn't anything in the family archive that identifies this special painting. I will post some possibilities and am currently doing some research on that.
In the same year Bruce was one of six students who entered a Kansas City Art Institute scholarship competition. Five Omaha students placed in the competition. Again Miss Angood was the Instructor. Bruce placed second and won a $75 scholarship for his entry in the illustration division. The World Herald stated at the end of the article, "Young Jepsen has had work on exhibit this year at Radio City, Rockefeller Center, New York".
My mother, Grace Jepson Cupak would later become a student of Miss Angood at Central. Grace says that Miss Angood wasn't really all that nice but that because of Bruce, she got to be "teacher's pet".
Later, Bruce was one of 17 demo artists featured at Joslyn Art Museum for their 10th Anniversary Exhibit. One of the artist's was his close friend, Walter Lahue. Another artist Bruce was featured with was Agustus Dunbier. My Grandmother, Edwina Wilson Jepson, my mother, Grace, both my Aunts, Chris Jepson Connors and Harryette Jepson Bondesson later studied under Agustus Dunbier. The three sisters would each become professional artists in Omaha. More to come on all of these fine ladies.
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