Ron Lutz II: Professional Resume & Portfolio
- LutzR2
- Jul 3, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: 23 hours ago
I have diverse & creative skills with a depth of related experiences and am open to possibilities.
I have been a professional artist since the age of nineteen. My employment in the creative industry originates in the city of Pittsburgh, where I both went to art school and found employment with a high end 3D-model fabrication workshop. A good portion of my career was as an artist in the Exhibits Department of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. These days I am mainly known for my decades long career as a photo journalistic style photographer covering enormously wide subject matter.
My post pandemic work is now mainly focused on conservation, education, and the arts. In other words, I have sacrificed job security and benefits in order to pursue my passions. This formula has worked well enough, but I am ready to find someplace to bring all of my attention and diverse skills onto.
Please take a moment to review my history, consider even clicking on some of the photos that take you to more in depth sections of my past? I am open to possibilities and am looking to move somewhere over the summer of 2026. I designed and created all of the graphics and imagery on this page unless otherwise noted.
My Work Experiences
Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance, Baraboo, WI
Part-Time Executive Director - 09/2024 to Present
The Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance is a decades old citizen oriented ecological organization. Its roots stem from citizen activism that was essential to conversion of the grounds of the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant into an ecological haven. This organization helped to facilitate public interest in turning over the property to the current land owners. The current big three parcel holders that the Alliance partners with are The Ho-Chunk Nation, the Wisconsin DNR, and the USDA, Dairy Forage Research Center, and via them the Extension, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In September of 2024 I became the part-time Executive Director for the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance. This has proven to be one of the most rewarding, yet punishing jobs that I have had in a long while. In other words, I love it!
I have spent the past year absorbing information, condensing facts into usable media, and producing educational/promotional materials as if I were back at Carnegie Museum once more. Constituent management and fundraising are also new areas of focus that I am now becoming more proficient in performing. Communications/public relations and engagement are where I have been finding success as well. I’m especially proud of the citizen science program that monitored monarchs that organized over the summer!
(Randy Poelma made that instar graphic)
I designed the logo above minus the Monarch. That was designed by Ho-Chunk artist Damian Ramirez.
This button opens a blog post about the program.
Citizen Science
By coordinating with all ready existing science programs I was able to organize my first citizen science program.
It was also an opportunity to support the restoration efforts that have been so effectively managed by Randy Poelma, Ho-Chunk Nation Division of Environmental Health.
Publications
I have established inhouse production capabilities. I now design, write, edit, and coordinate all printed and digital media. I especially enjoy creating presentations.
This work is directly tied to my experience in producing various educational media, as well as bringing into play my photography and writing skills.
Please take a moment to review the Spring 2025 Issue to see the sort of content that I enjoy producing.
Various pieces created using Adobe Express
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Public Appearances
I have truly enjoyed making a number of public appearances at a variety of events. Both tabling displays, and presentations have proven to be key elements in building momentum as a community.
My other part-time job as a licensed short-term substitute teacher has honed my ability to communicate material to groups of people of all ages.
Clicking the image below will open a Google Slides Presentation.
Gathering and learning about this content was truly enjoyable thanks to the incredible partnerships that I have inherited from previous E.D.s.
Note: that the cover of The Prairie Promoter in this featured post is also using my photography.
I try to foster partnerships with a variety of organizations. I want to bring the capital "A" to "Alliance!"
I support the efforts of like-minded efforts by providing media, such as my photography, and sometimes my writing.
Social Media
Being active on social media has been essential in building community awareness. I utilize a variety of platforms in order to share events, and stories related to the Sauk Prairie.
Educational Lecture Series
I have endeavored to bring programming stemming from my relationship with the various artists associated with the Mąą Wákąčąk Art Studio.
Constituent Management
Beginning in the summer of 2025 I began to educate myself in the use of Little Green Light, a robust constituent management system that I inherited from previous E.D.s.
I have learned how to create, manage, and solicit donations. It is still early in the process, but I am confident that I have the potential to gain momentum. Learning details about our supporting community has given me the ability to tailor specific appeals to selected segments.
Photography
Naturally my photography plays strongly in my strategies in promoting public awareness of the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance.
Membership Communications
I produce, write, and edit a media rich email newsletter to our subscribers every two weeks. These are full of local events, as well as news pieces related to our mission.
This job has also come with some hard stressors, but I am happy to say that I continue to seek solutions to problems, and have yet to feel truly thwarted by circumstances. I will admit that I find the part-time aspect very limiting, (let's not even bring up compensation) but I hope to continue in this role for as long as feasible. (A blog post describing a bit about some of my past experiences in ecological healing efforts.)
Mount Horeb Area School District
Substitute Teacher, General & SPED Paraprofessional - Grades K-12
10/2024 to Present
⦁ DPI Short-term Sub License earned 12/2024 valid for 3 years
⦁ 2024 -2025 School Year - I performed 127 jobs, with many of those split into multiple jobs. It was an amazing experience that helped become better at so many various aspects of my best Self.
⦁ 2025 -2026 School Year - This school year I have been mainly working in support of the various SPED departments throughout the school district. I have worked with special needs children of all ages, ranging from the Hearts & Hands PreK all the way to 12th Graders. Mostly I am in the Middle School where I will bounce between all three grades as needs arise, and go from teaching roles to SPED para roles mulitple times/day. I am proud to say that I have become quite proficient in handling delicate situations. I occasionally fill in as a General Education teacher for a day once in a while, just to enjoy running a whole class for a while.
⦁ Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Certified - Crisis Prevention Institute
Issued Mar 2025 Expires Mar 2028
This has proved to be an incredibly rewarding experience. Working with children of all ages, abilities, and temperament, I perform a variety of roles, rarely the same one two days in a row. I have proven to be flexible, patient, and adaptable. This job has changed me as a person in some very profound, and positive ways. I wish I could truly write about my experiences but that would violate all sorts of privacy laws. I hope to find ways to merge my other skills with this experience somehow?
Professional Photographer
Owner - 2003 to Present
⦁ Professional photography services for a wide range of products, projects, and services. If it is 3D I can take a photo of it and make it look amazing.
⦁ Photography, and graphic design services for the Wisconsin Golden Gloves.
This is a big part of my personal make-up, but I tend to downplay my role as the photographer and graphic designer for this organization. My relationship with the culture surrounding Andrea Nelson, Coach & President of the WIGGG. Her influence on my life has been very direct and appreciated, and has had amazing influence on my personality.
⦁ Leasing of imagery for use in educational, marketing and promotional use. Literally thousands of images used by a huge variety of people, organizations, and business. During my brief time as a mail carrier I cannot tell you how many times I saw my own work going into mailboxes.
⦁ Fine Art photography - partnering with museums and artists to produce gallery shows.
⦁ Premium wedding photography services of superior quality. I was very successful at this and loved capturing weddings, but I did not enjoy the costly marketing, or the high overhead. I very rarely do weddings these days.
⦁ Photography intended for promotion of tourism at both local and state levels.
⦁ Offering photography services for art studios to document and promote their artwork.
⦁ Specialized portrait services catering to a diverse clientele.
⦁ Photography services for the Tibetan monastery at Deer Park Buddhist Center.
Here is one of the pillars of my current sense of Self. I have been Blessed with having found my way to the lineage of Tibetan monks led by the 14th Dalai Lama Himself. In 2016 I was honored with Greeting His Holiness when he last visited the grounds. Since that day my relationship with these learned people has truly helped me to manifest the best version of my Self. I am forever grateful.
⦁ Photography & observation of a bald eagle nests for a Citizen Science program.
⦁ Nature & wildlife photographer for a variety of environmental groups such as The Prairie Enthusiasts, Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance, Dane County Parks, etc..
⦁ Comprehensive Pennsic War event photographer 2003 to 2011.
Finger Publishing, Mount Horeb, WI
Newspaper Photographer & Writer 2023 to 02/2025
⦁ Photography & article/caption writing services for “The Mount Horeb Mail.”
Wormfarm Institute, Reedsburg, WI
Photographer & Artist - 2024 - Continuing Sporadically
⦁ Logistical support, photography, & video editing services for a rural arts nonprofit.
Heartland Ecological Group, Inc. Mount Horeb, WI
Environmental Technician I - Summer 2023
⦁ Conducted Prescribed burns in various natural settings & wetland mitigation sites
⦁ Eliminated invasive plants in various natural areas, wetlands, and grasslands
⦁ Acquired these licenses:
Aquatic & Mosquito (Cat. 5.0)
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Issued Apr 2023 · Expires Apr 2028
Right of Way & Natural Areas (Cat. 6.0)
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Issued Apr 2023 · Expires Apr 2028
Wildland Fire Training
Madison Area Technical College
Issued Feb 2023
Dane County Parks Dept
Volunteer Restoration/Preservation Work - 2014 to Present
⦁ Volunteer helping to clear invasive trees & plants, and conduct prescribed burns.
⦁ Provide imagery for various uses
United States Post Office, Mount Horeb WI
City Carrier Assistant - Full-time Jul 2021 - Mar 2022
⦁ City Carrier in Mount Horeb walking miles/day delivering on foot.
Rural Carrier Assistant - Full-time March 2022 - January 2023
⦁ Rural Carrier for the Blue Mounds area delivering via vehicle.
Cave of the Mounds, Blue Mounds, WI
2018 - 2019
⦁ Removed invasive plants and maintained the natural beauty of the 30-acre property.
⦁ Conducted tours of the cave.
University of Wisconsin, Arts & Humanities
Figure Art Model - 2015 -2019
⦁ Dynamic posing for college level painting and figure drawing courses.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA
Creative/Multimedia Coordinator - 1998 to 2007
⦁ Coordinated with Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute/Mobot to develop two autonomous robotic tour guides.
⦁ Coordinated designers, programmers, writers, and multimedia specialists for exhibit components and future proposals.
⦁ Produced, directed and edited films & audio shows for projects and exhibitions.
⦁ Established fully operational in-house multimedia/graphics production capabilities.
⦁ Established relationships with various outside corporations.
⦁ Recruited and managed a large pool of regional freelance talent.
⦁ Developed interactive games and exhibits.
⦁ Recruited and supervised interns from various art schools.
Preparator I - 1989 to 1998
⦁ Volunteer diorama fabricator 1989 to 1992, then went full-time in 1992.
⦁ Fabricated and installed permanent and temporary exhibits.
⦁ Constructed dioramas include the African Wildlife Hall, Alcoa Hall of American Indians, and North American Mammal Hall.
⦁ Coordinated production crews.
⦁ Prepared and installed temporary art shows & traveling exhibit components.
⦁ Refurbished Galleries.
⦁ Fabricated mounts for artifacts to be displayed in a variety of exhibits.
Park Place Studios, Pittsburgh, PA
Construction Coordinator - 1990 to 1993
⦁ Managed design, fabrication, and installation of scenic sets, exhibits, and trade shows for film, TV, and displays.
⦁ Managed office, paint & wood shops, shipping and support staff.
Angelo Ciotti, Chicora, PA
Artist Apprentice - Summer 1990
⦁ Assisted in the fabrication & installation of fine art for public display.
The Object Works, Pittsburgh, PA
Apprentice - 1987 to 1989
⦁ Helped create specialty props, awards, and dioramas for film, commercial photographers, and marketing agencies.
⦁ Maintained the shop and office.
EDUCATION
THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH - Attended Three Times
Bachelor's in Science Degree in Specialized Technology 2004
Major: Industrial Design and Technology
Computer Animation & Multimedia 1998
Associates Degree Industrial Design and Technology 1989
ORIGIN
I was a rural punk rocker in 1986 when I was given my first film camera. It changed my life.
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