In 1931, Zoltan Sepeshy had become a painting instructor and administrator at the Cranbrook Academy of Art In Michigan, and by 1947 he became the Director. Smarkusz attended Cranbrook in 1950 to study under Sepeshy for one semester, before moving to Boston and studying at the Museum School. Sepeshy ultimately became the president of Cranbrook in 1957, determining the direction of the institution until he retired in 1966.
Great Lakes Fishermen by Zoltan Sepeshy, 1941