Every second Friday of each month, we invite special guests to offer unique takes on a current exhibition at the Museum, as interpreted through their individual lenses and disciplines.

Join us Friday, June 9 at Noon as Rick Runion takes us through “Seen & Unseen: Photographs by Imogen Cunningham.”

About the Speaker

Photographer and teacher Rick Runion has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio University, where he studied art photography under Arnold Gassan and photojournalism with Chuck Scott and Terry Eiler. While in college, Runion worked for the college yearbook and freelanced for his local daily newspaper the “Parkersburg News & Sentinel.”  

When he finished his degree, Rick enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Saxophone Instrumentalist. During his time in the Navy, Runion documented his travels throughout Italy and Europe by photographing the people and places he visited. After his four-year enlistment, Rick moved to Central Florida and started a 25-year career as an award-winning photojournalist. 

During his time working for The Ledger in Lakeland, Runion covered the daily news of local Polk County citizens and breaking news of hurricanes and major sporting events. He has covered Super Bowls, Major League Baseball, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Orlando Magic and other professional and high school sports.

His photographs have appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country. When his career at The Ledger ended, Rick became an art teacher at Rochelle School of the Arts where he taught for eight years. He has been an Art Instructor at the Polk Museum of Art for over 15 years, teaching both adult classes, Spring Break Art Camp and Summer Camp for students. Runion has also been an adjunct photography professor for Southeastern University in Lakeland. Today, Runion works in public relations for the Polk County Schools.