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Photography and Writing Honors 2025

Mike had another good year, both as a writer and photographer, in 2025. In April, Lunsford earned 1^st Place honors in the Hoosier Outdoors Writers “In-Craft” competition with his photo, “On the Lake.” He was also recognized with four other writing and photography awards by HOW and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. In the first few months of the year, Lunsford took part in the Rose-Hulman Art Exhibit, and in May, Mike was named the 2025 Tribune-Star Reader’s Choice “Best Columnist” for the 5^th time. Later in the summer, Lunsford earned “Grand Champion” ribbons for open class professional photography at both the Vigo County and Parke County Fairs. In July his “Morning Coffee” was awarded 3^rd Place in the Link Art Gallery’s Midwest Photography Show in Paris, Illinois, and also in July, Mike teamed with esteemed Parke County artist Christel Gutelius and both were named “People’s Choice” winners for “Snow Day” at the Gaslight Art Colony Side-by-Side Show in Marshall, Illinois.

In August, Lunsford was honored with 1st Place at the River City Art Association’s Member Show for his photo “Art Appreciation," and in late September, Lunsford’s “Morning Coffee” was named “Best of Show” at the Covered Bridge Art Association Fall Exhibit. With pieces accepted in both the Muse Art Open Show and the Small Art Show, sponsored by Arts Illiana in Terre Haute, Lunsford had a full fall and early winter exhibit schedule, all the while staying busy writing for the Tribune-Star and Indiana Connection magazine. In December, Mike also learned his photo, "Low Water on the Wabash" took top honors in the Riverscape Photography Contest.

The new year promises to be an exciting one for Mike. Twenty-five of his photos will be on display at Corporate Square in Terre Haute for the first six months of 2026, and he has now learned that the Link Art Gallery in Paris will feature his work in a one-man show in the late fall. He thanks all of these publications and organizations for their support!

Upcoming Speaking/Photography Engagements

Saturday, September 12, 2026: Photography presentation to DKG at the Coloma Friends Church in Coloma at 10am.

Sunday, September 20, 2026: Speaking about Ernie Pyle, the writer, at Bono Church at 3pm as part of the Ernie Pyle Journalist Writing Competition, sponsored by the Friends of Ernie Pyle.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026: Leading a walking tour of Highland Lawn Cemetery in Terre Haute for West Vigo AP US History Class—limited additional guests—at 9:30am; leave from the main gate.

Saturday, October 31, 2026: Leading, “A Walk with James Whitcomb Riley,” at Jackson-Schnyder Nature Preserve, West Terre Haute at 12 noon; sponsored by Ouabache Land Conservancy; public invited.

November 2, 2026: Scheduled release of Mike’s 8^th book: An Age of Wonder, from Shade Tree Press.

Wednesday, November 11, 2026: "An Age of Wonder: Writing, Reading and a New Book" at the OLLI "Wednesday Series," 2-3:30pm at ISU's Cunningham Library in Terre Haute.

Friday, November 20, 2026: Speaking and signing at Swope Art Museum for the Swope Alliance on “Why History?” at 12 noon.

Saturday, November 28, 2026: Signing at Vigo County Public Library’s “Fall Festival of Writers,” 10am-1pm.

Fall, 2027: Mike Lunsford One-Man Photography Exhibit at Link Art Gallery in Paris, IL.