Norma Stevens Reflects on McCook’s Rich Art Legacy

McCook, Neb. — When you sit down with Norma Stevens, you don’t need to ask many questions—her love for McCook’s art community overflows in stories, names, and memories that paint a vivid picture of the area’s creative history.

Stevens, a retired language arts teacher, didn’t set out to become an artist. But after years in the classroom, she decided to take a chance on something new. “I always had an interest, but I didn’t have the background—color, value, all of that,” she recalled. So, she enrolled in art classes at McCook Community College under Don Dernovich, the instructor many credit with shaping McCook’s art culture.

Those classes weren’t just for enrolled student, adults from the community were welcome to sit in, learning side by side with college students. “It built such a strong community,” Stevens said. “You could audit classes as often as you wanted, just to keep learning.”

The college also played a key role in expanding opportunities for local artists. Under Dernovich’s leadership, McCook hosted national watercolor shows and workshops, bringing in renowned instructors. Stevens still remembers painting on location with the old “Blue Goose” bus, traveling to places like Danbury, Lebanon, and even the Snowy Range in Wyoming.

“Those trips were absolutely wonderful,” she said, smiling at the memory. “You were away from everything, just focused on painting, learning from people who really knew what they were doing.”

The McCook Art Guild, which Stevens later joined, helped extend that love of art to the next generation by offering scholarships to young students who wanted to attend professional workshops.

McCook’s art history, Stevens believes, runs deeper than most people realize. It stretches back to the 1950s, when figures like Kay Clesson began teaching and promoting art locally, eventually leading to the formation of the McCook Art Guild. The Guild and college programs grew hand in hand, creating opportunities for both casual learners and serious artists to thrive.

Today, Stevens hopes the community will continue to support that tradition. While some programs at the college, including theater and music, have faced challenges in recent years, she believes investing in the arts is crucial for keeping McCook vibrant. “Kids need to be exposed to everything—music, art, sports,” she said. “You never know what will spark something in them, or even bring them back to this community someday.”

As for Stevens herself, she continues to paint in her home studio, surrounded by pieces from her travels and years of workshops. Her passion for learning and sharing art hasn’t slowed she still attends local exhibits and supports community events, proud to see how McCook’s creative spirit continues to grow. Her story is a reminder that the foundation built by artists like her is still inspiring new generations.