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A long, Running history with Luther College

Date 12/8/2005 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & Culture

During the past weekend, a small, gray house on the edge of the Luther campus showcased the works of a local artist with a long and important history at the college.

Orville Running currently lives in the Aase Haugen Home, but his open house and sale was held in the home that he built over fifty years ago on Riverview Drive. His works include color and black and white woodcuts, oils, etchings, drawings and watercolors.

Running is a well-known artist in and around Decorah, and a former Luther College professor, who loves the area and its people.


His works are not only found at Luther and around Northeast Iowa, but throughout the United States and other countries as well. The reception room of the American Embassy in Oslo, Norway displayed his prints.

Originally from Veblen, South Dakota, Running attended St. Olaf College where he earned his B.A. in 1931. He went on to Luther Seminary in St. Paul, graduating in 1934.

After serving as a pastor, he continued his art education at the University of Iowa, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in 1950.

He also studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Art Student League of New York, the University of Minnesota and with several professional artists.

Additionally, St. Olaf awarded him an honorary doctorate degree in 1987.

Running accepted a teaching position at Luther in 1946, and spent his next 40 years as a professor of both art and religion.

During that time, he had a significant influence on the college and its students. He helped launch Luther's art department and expand its faculty. Under his influence, the college instituted the art major in 1957.

He established a legacy of printmaking at the college and inspired some students who went on to become professional artists. His daughter, Marjorie Wharton, also joined the Luther community as a professor and currently teaches French and music.

After his retirement in 1986, Running continued to teach printmaking part-time for 10 years.

Currently, he is Professor Emeritus of Art at Luther, as well as College Artist.

Running has contributed much to Luther as College Artist. In this position, he created the college's centennial seal and designed the book jacket for its centennial history.

Additionally, he designed the meditation chapel in Brandt hall, which now serves as a study room, numerous altars around campus, background sets, wall art and other various works for the college.

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Taylor Addington

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