LESLIE BRUNING
1010 North 13th Street
Omaha, NE 68102
(402) 341-8990
lesbruning@cox.net

Leslie Bruning was born in Syracuse, KS and raised in Nebraska. After studying at Graz Center in Austria, he graduated with BA-Art from Nebraska Wesleyan University. In 1970 he was awarded a MFA -Sculpture from Syracuse University. He is currently Chair of the Art Area of Bellevue University, Bellevue NE and a founding member of the Market North Hot Shops Art Center, Omaha, NE. His studio and Bruning Sculpture, Inc., a casting and fabrication studio to produce architectural detail and other artists’ work, is located in the Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas, Omaha, NE 68102.

Bruning received his first sculpture commission in 1969 at the County-City Building, Lincoln, NE and has completed over 30 commissions since that time. He has produced the Governor’s Art Award for the State of Nebraska, given slide presentations at the Central Time Zone Sculpture Symposium, Lincoln, NE and the 1990 International Sculpture Conference, Washington, DC, and received a Mentoring Grant from the Nebraska Art Council. He is included in many public and private collections including the Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE.

Bruning has participated in over 100 Juried and Invitational Shows throughout United States. In 1998 and 1999 he participated in the Pier Walk Sculpture Exhibition on Chicago’s Navy Pier. Recently he was on the J. Doe Committee, Omaha, NE.

HISTORY
2004-Present President, Hot Shops Community Foundation, Omaha, NE
1999-Present General Partner, Hot Shops Art Center, Omaha, NE
1997-Present Chair, Art Area, Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE
1990-Present Operator, Bruning Sculpture, Inc., Omaha, NE
1973-Present Professor of Art, Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE
2001 Member of J. Doe Project Committee, Omaha, NE
2000 Institute for Public Art, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, MN
1972 M.F.A. Degree - Sculpture, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
1970 B.A. Degree - Art, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
1969 Studied at Graz Center, Austria
1948 Born in Syracuse, Kansas; raised in Nebraska
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HONORS

2005 Nebraska Arts Council Purchase, HOMAGE TO THE WELDER, Omaha
1999 Navy Pier ‘99, International Exhibition, Chicago
1998 Navy Pier ‘98, International Exhibition, Chicago
1996 Museum of Nebraska Art Purchase, HOOPS, 10’ x 6’ x 8’, Steel Sculpture
1995 Mentoring Program Grant (Luther Jones), Nebraska Arts Council
1990 Slide Presentation, International Sculpture Conference, Washington, D.C.
1988 Slide Presentation, Central Time Zone Sculpture Symposium, Lincoln, NE
1981 Designed Governor’s Art Award, State of Nebraska
1980 Young Alumni Service Award, Nebraska Wesleyan University
1976 Outstanding Young Men of America
1970 Awarded Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Syracuse University
1970 Who’s Who in American Colleges & Universities
1969 Designed Official Flag, Church Center of the United Nations, NY
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COMMISSIONS

2005 SQUARES, 10'x6'x4' Steel Sculpture, A.J. Thompson Residence, Omaha, NE
2005 HARRY JENKINS MEMORIAL BIKE BENCH, galvinated steel, 4’x7’x18”, Keystone Trail, Omaha, NE
2004 LINEAR TABLE, steel/glass, 36"x54"x54", Olson-Engle Residence, Omaha, NE
2004 ANTONIA (A Tribute to Willa Cather), bronze, 16"x26"x18", Omaha Library Foundation, Omaha, NE
2003 SITTIN' IN THE CORN, aluminum, wood, 6'x6'x2' bench, Childrens Museum, Omaha, NE
2001 OBSERVED CAMPUS TIME 2001, ceramic, bronze, 6’x6’x2” wall sculpture, Allwine Hall, University of Nebraska-Omaha
2000 BERNINI OAK (vine arbor), galvanized steel, 12’x16’x24’, Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, NE
2000 FOUNTAIN OF FIRE, granite and gas jets, 12’ x 12’ x 14’, Centennial Farm, Omaha, NE
2000 OAK, bronze, 11’x12’x14’, Buffet Nature Center, Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue, NE
1998 HORSE MASKS, cast aluminum (worn by actors in “Equus”), Brigit St. Brigit Theatre, Omaha, NE
1998 AVIAN, stainless steel, 8 1/2 X 6’ X7’, Avian Forest, Bellevue, NE
1998 LADDERS, wood, brass, and glass suspended sculpture, 96’ x16’ x 10’ space, City of Omaha, Benson Branch Library, Omaha, NE
1998 WINGS, a brass hanging mobile 8’ X 10’ X 10’, Bellevue University West, Omaha, Ne.
1997 Decorative Gates, Entry and Driveway, fabricated steel, Scottsdale, AZ
1995 Brass Stair Rail, J. Dennis Residence, Bellevue, NE, Approximately 36” x 26’
1995 Designed, cast or fabricated numerous bronze architectural element in three churches. 1992 Omaha, NE and Baltimore, MD
1991 TABLEAUX, Hitchcock Elementary School, Omaha, NE, 60’ x 3’ x 3’ steel
1990 Chambers All Faiths Chapel, Designed and cast in bronze Gothic style
1988 Pinnacles, Ribs with Spikes, Cap, and Cross for Spire and Lantern; Forty-nine Light Fixtures including glass and electric elements; Banner and Light Brackets; Medallions and Washers for Doors, Alter, and Pulpit. Clad Front Door, Alter, and Pulpit in bronze. Father Flanagan’s Boys Home, Boys Town, NE
1989 COMMEMORATIVE STELE, 8’ x 4’ x 4’ Brass - Wisner-Pilger Schools Foundation, Wisner, NE
1989 MOTO ONE. 12’ x 12’ DIA Hanging mobile, brass. 1st National Bank, Omaha, NE
1988 NETWORK, 7 1/2’ x 6 1/2’ x 6” Ceramic & Brass Wall Sculpture, Peoples Natural Gas, Omaha, NE
1988 CENTENNIAL ARCH, 10 1/2’ x 75” x 20 “ Brass Arch on 15’ diameter pattern of brick, St. Cecilia Cathedral H. S., Omaha, NE
1986 SAYLO I, 8’ x 8’ x 4’ Brass Mobile, Lakeside Regency Building, Omaha, NE
1986 GLOBUS, 8’ x 8’ x 8’ Aluminum Mobile, Essex Corporation, Omaha, NE
1986 ARCONE I, 9’ x 3’ x 3’, Brass and Ceramics, Dr. Carol Angle, Omaha, NE
1985 Bronze Fountain, 5’ x 18” x 18”, US West Direct, Omaha, NE
1984 OMAREAU, 30’ x 7” x 6” Brass Wall Sculpture, Eppley Airport, Omaha, NE
1984 PYRATRA, 32’ x 8’ x 12’ Stone/Steel Sculpture, How-Nelson Associates, Omaha, NE
1984 DYSTRO, 5 1/2’ x 9 1/2’ x 2 1/2’ Steel Sculpture, H. Andersen, Omaha, NE
1983 QUOTOX, 4’ x 4’ x 11’ Counter-balanced Brass Mobile, Schumacher, Skudlarek and Raynor, Omaha, NE
1983 24” x 30” x 6’ Brass Wall Sculpture, Lutheran Medical Center, Omaha, NE
1982 30’ x 36’ x 6” Brass Wall Sculpture, Alumni House, University of Nebraska, Omaha, NE
1982 SPECTOREAUX, 25’ x 20’ x 12’ Painted Aluminum Mobile, Norwest National Bank, Omaha, NE
1981 ZANOO, (Edition of eight), for Governor’s Arts Awards, State of Nebraska
1981 TOMOTO, Sculpture Mobile 10’ dia x 6’, Richard Young Hospital (Lutheran Medical Center), Omaha, NE
1981 SYKORYC, 10’ x 4’ x 8” Brass Wall Sculpture, Touche Ross and Company, Omaha, NE
1980 PHYNOSX, 14’ x 8’ x5’ Brass Mobile Sculpture, Private Patron
1979 SHELTUSX I, 8’ X 30’ X 30’ Brass Sculpture, Guarantee Mutual Insurance Company, Omaha, NE
1979 GLOBUSX, 5’ x 2’ x 8” Brass Sculpture Relief, Empire Insurance Company, Omaha, NE
1978 JOHN S ENGDAHL MEMORIAL SUNDIAL, 8’ X 5’ x 7’ Brass Sculpture, Immanuel Medical Center, Omaha, NE
1977 VANCE’S DILEMMA & BETTY’S DILEMMA, Two Aluminum Wall Sculptures each 18” x 22’ x8”, O’Connell Auditorium, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
1977 ZORBUS, 26’ x 14’ x 12’ Steel Sculpture, Pacesetter Corporation, Omaha, NE
1976 YELLOW ZIG, 16’ x 6’ x18” Steel Sculpture, Valmont Industries, Valley, NE
1976 20’ x 25’ x3’ Wall Sculpture of Steel, Brass, and Stained Glass, United Methodist Church of Christ, Wisner, NE
1976 SCAPUS, 10’ X 6’ X 14” S teel Sculpture, Unitarian Church, Lincoln, NE
1975 THE BIG ASH, 8’ X 14” X 14” Ash Sculpture, United States National Bank, Omaha, NE
1969 JOINING OF TWO FORCES ON A COMMON PLANE, 25’ X 6’ X 6’ Walnut and Aluminum Sculpture, County-City Building, Lincoln, NE
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MAJOR SHOWS & EXHIBITS

2006 Invitational: Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE
2006 Lauritzen Gardens, “Art in Bloom”, Omaha, NE
2006 Louisville Art Gallery, “Faces”, Louisville, NE
2006 Rockbrook Village –Public Art Project, “Arches”, Omaha, NE
2005 Solo: Nicholas Street Gallery, “Manifestation of Self”, Hot Shops Art Center, Omaha, NE
2005 All Sculpture Show Invitational, Jackson Artworks, Omaha, NE
2005 Annual Outdoor Sculpture Show, Lawrence, KS
2005 Elements, Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue, NE
2005 Wind and Water Exhibit, Leahy Mall, Omaha, NE
2005 Galena Outdoor Exhibition, Galena, IL
2004 Solo: Norfolk Art Center, Norfork, NE
2004 Solo: Moberg Gallery, Des Moines, IA
2004 Invitational: “Monument to Preservation”, Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center, Omaha, NE
2004 Lauritzen Gardens, “Art in Bloom”, Omaha, NE
2004 Wind and Water Exhibit, Leahy Mall, Omaha, NE
2004 Elements, Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue, NE
2004 Sculpture Galena, "Nouveau Nuance", Ulyssess S Grant Home Site, Galena, IL
2004 Special exhibition, "Time Sails", Wayne State College, Wayne, NE
2004 "Artist Rocking", Sculpturewalk, downtown Sioux Falls, SD
2004 "Artist Reaching", Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, Skokie, IL
2003 Group Invitational, Fluxion Gallery, Omaha, NE.
2003 Elements, Fontenlle Forest, Bellevue, NE
2003 Sculpture Galena, "Glamoto", Ulyssess S Grant Home Site, Galena, IL
2003 Tour de Lincoln Public Art Exhibit, "I Saw the Figure 1 in Yellow", Lincoln, NE
2002 Invitational All Sculpture Show, Jackson Artworks, Omaha, NE
2002 Tour de Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
2002 Invitational: Lauritzen Gardens - Omaha’s Botanical Gardens, Omaha, NE
2002 Omaha Clay Words, College of St. Mary, Omaha, NE
2002 1 + 1 = 66 Invitation Show. Artists Cooperative Gallery
2002 The Artist Consortium at The Loft, Lincoln, NE
2002 Juried: Wind and Water Exhibit, Gene Leahy Mall, Omaha, NE
2002 Elements, Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue, NE
2001 Juried: J. Doe Project, Omaha, NE
2001 The Bearable Lightness of Being and Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds (with Madalyn Bruning)
2001 Invitational: Les Bruning and Friends Louisville Art Gallery, Louisville, NE
2001 Juried: 14th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Show, Downtown, Lawrence, KS
2000 Solo: Nicholas Street Gallery, Omaha, NE
2000 Invitational: Free-Male Show, Antiquarian Gallery, Omaha, NE
2000 Juried: 13th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Lawrence, KS
1999 Solo: Out of Chaos, Jackson Artworks, Omaha, NE
1999 Juried: Washburn University Outdoor Sculpture Show, Topeka, KS
1999 Juried: 12th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Lawrence, KS
1999 Invitational: Biennial Lincoln Mutual Outdoor Show, Lincoln, NE
1999 Invitational: Out of the Ashes, Lied Center Art Gallery, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
1999 Invitational: Revealed: The Figurative Form, Artist’s Cooperative Gallery, Omaha, NE
1998 Juried: Maquettes for Pier Walk ‘98, Wood Street Gallery, Chicago, IL
1998 Juried: 11th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Lawrence, KS
1997 Juried: Art Around the Corner, Downtown Outdoor Show, Ames IA
1997 Invitational: Clay on Fire, Hillmer Gallery, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE
1997 Invitational: Small Treasures, Haydon Gallery, Lincoln, NE
1997 Invitational: Two Views of Self, Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE
1996 Solo: Bruning Studio, Omaha, NE
1996 Invitational: Alumni Show, Nebraska Wesleyan University
1996 Invitational: Biennial Lincoln Mutual Outdoor Show, Lincoln, NE
1996 Invitational: Sculpture on 12th, Downtown, Lincoln, NE
1996 Juried: Sculpture on Second Outdoor Show, Cedar Rapids, IA
1995 Solo: Cathedral Gallery, St. Cecilia’s Cathedral, Omaha, NE
1995 Invitational: Free Male Art Show, Antiquarian Gallery, Omaha, NE
1994 Juried: 8th Annual Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Lawrence KS
1994 Juried: Sculpture on Second Outdoor Exhibition, Cedar Rapids, IA
1994 Invitational: Biennial Lincoln Mutual Life Outdoor Show, Lincoln, NE
1993 Solo: Haydon Gallery, Lincoln, NE
1993 Three Person: Eyesound Gallery, Omaha, NE
1993 Juried: Prairie Lights Exhibition, Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE
1993 Invitational: Inaugural Sculpture Garden Show, Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE
1992 Solo: Anderson-O’Brien Gallery, Omaha, NE
1992 Invitational Artel Outdoor Sculpture Show, Lincoln, NE
1992 Drawing by Sculptors, Northwest Missouri State College, Marysville, MO
1991 Two-Person: Anderson-O’Brien Gallery, Omaha, NE
1991 Invitational Central Time Zone Outdoor Sculpture Show, Chicago, IL
1990 Invitational FAAA Gallery, Fremont, NE
1990 Invitational Free-Male Art Show, Antiquarian Gallery, Omaha, NE
1990 Invitational The Last Picture Show, Artists Co-op Gallery, Omaha, NE
1989 Invitational Hillmer art Gallery, College of St. Mary, Omaha, NE
1989 Juried 48th Annual Juried Competition, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA
1989 Juried Fred Wells Annual, NWU, Lincoln, NE
1988 Solo: Walker Gallery, Keaney State College, Kearney, NE
1988 Juried: Lenexa National 3-D Show, Lenexa, KS
1988 Juried: Central Time Zone Outdoor Sculpture Show, NWU, Lincoln, NE
1988 Juried: Midwest Biennial, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE
1988 Juried: Farm Crisis Show - Constructed SILO: Homage to the Nebraska Farmer, Lincoln NE
1988 Invitational: Regional Annual, Cathedral Gallery, Omaha, NE
1987 Solo: Watson Gallery, Houston, TX
1987 Solo: Peru State College, Peru, NE
1987 Invitational: Alumni Show, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
1987 Invitational: Regional Annual, Cathedral Gallery, Omaha, NE
1986 Two Person: Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE
1986 Solo: Creighton University, Omaha, NE
1986 Solo: Dana College, Blair, NE
1985 Solo: Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, IA
1985 Solo: Anderson-O’Brien Gallery, Omaha, NE
1985 Solo: University Place Art Center, Lincoln, NE
1985 Juried: Eight State Biennial, Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA
1984 Solo: Govenor’s Mansion, Lincoln, NE
1984 Juried: Nebraska Art Educators, Elder Gallery, NWU, Lincoln, NE
1983 Two-Person: Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE
1983 Solo: Koenig Gallery, Concordia College, Seward, NE
1983 Solo: Omaha Children’s Museum, Omaha, NE
1982 Solo: Central Park Gallery, Omaha, NE
1982 Two-Person: Norfolk Arts Center, Norfolk, NE
1982 Invitational: Artists Co-op Gallery, Alumni Show, Omaha, NE
1981 Juried: College of St. Mary, Omaha, NE
1981 Invitational: Curiel Glass Gallery, Omaha, NE
1981 Faculty: Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE
1981 Invitational: Haymarket Art Gallery, Lincoln, NE
1981 Invitational: Brena Gallery, Denver, CO
1981 Invitational: University of Nebraska-Omaha, Art Gallery, Omaha,NE
1981 Two-Person: Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE
1980 Two-Person: Jewish Community Center, Omaha,NE
1980 Two-Person: Haymarket Art Gallery, Lincoln, NE
1980 Solo: Franklin Street Gallery, Omaha, NE
1980 Invitational: Hillmer Gallery, College of St. Mary, Omaha, NE
1978 Invitational: Regional Sculptors, University of Nebraska, Omaha,NE
1978 Invitational: Outdoor Sculpture Show, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
1977 Two-Person: Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE
1977 Three-Person: Sheldon Art Gallery, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
1977 Two-Person: Artist Cooperative Gallery, Omaha, NE
1976 Juried: Midwest Biennial, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE
1976 Juried: Great Plains Sculpture Show, Sheldon Art Gallery, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
1975 Two-Person: Haymarket Art Gallery, Lincoln, NE
1975 Two-Person: Elder Gallery, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
1975 Juried: College of St. Mary, Omaha, NE
1975 Juried: Great Plains Sculpture Show, Sheldon Art Gallery, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
1974 Solo: Gallery 72, Omaha, NE
1974 Juried: Midwest Biennial, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE
1973 Solo: Sheldon Art Gallery, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
1973 Juried: Annual Midlands, Gallery at the Market, Omaha, NE
1972 Solo: David Gallery, Rochester, NY
1972 Juried: Annual New England Competition, Silvermine Guild, New Caanan, CO
1972 Juried: National Small Sculpture & Drawing, Ball State University, Muncie, IN
1971 Solo: Regent Gallery, Syracuse, NY
1971 Juried: Group Show, Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY
1971 Juried: Annual Regional, Munson-Williams-Proctor Institute, Utica, NY
1971 Juried: Annual Fingerlakes Exhibition, Rochester Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY
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Collections
1st National Bank, Omaha, NE
Wisner-Pilger Schools Foundation, Wisner, NE
Eppley Airfield, Omaha, NE
Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE
United States National Bank, Omaha, NE
Security National Bank, Omaha, NE
Valmont Industries, Valley, NE
Pacesetter Corporation, Omaha, NE
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Immanuel Medical Center, Omaha, NE
Guarantee Mutual Insurance Company, Omaha, NE
Empire Insurance Company, Omaha, NE
Lutheran Medical Center, Omaha,NE
Norwest Banks, Omaha, NE
Acceptance Insurance Company, Omaha, NE
Nebraska State Art Collection, Kearney, NE
Touche Ross and Company, Omaha, NE
University of Nebraska-Omaha, NE
City of Lincoln, NE
Essex Corporation, Omaha, NE
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Andersen, Omaha, NE
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce
Sylvia Cohn, Omaha, NE
Mutual of Omaha, Omaha, NE
Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE
U.S. West Direct, Omaha, NE
Peoples Natural Gas, Omaha, NE
Robert & Karen Duncan, Lincoln, NE

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Related Links
Bellevue University, Omaha, NE
S.L.A.M. Omaha (Support Local Arts & Music), Omaha, NE
Internation Sculpture Center, Hamilton, NJ
Hot Shops Art Center, Omaha, NE
Loken Forge, Omaha, NE
KGByproducts, Omaha, NE

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