Rick Olivo (2023) • Visual Art & Theatre

Rick Olivo, who moved to Polk County from New York and passed away in 2022, has long been recognized as one of Lakeland’s art icons. He founded Pied Pipers Children’s Theater (Lakeland Community Theatre) and was also one of the founding members of Explorations V Children’s Museum (Florida Children’s Museum) where his giant dragon remains on display. Olivo completed numerous other art projects, including the creation of the swan prototypes for the Florida Children’s Museum public sculpture project, “Swansation,” which celebrated Lakeland’s famous swans. He also taught in many area schools, particularly Rochelle School of the Arts and spent time teaching art to the neediest of populations in Polk County’s migrant camps.