Art-in-Sports Program Draws 500 Students for Olympic Region Program.
Art-in-Sports Program Draws 500 Students for Olympic Region Program.
Lake Placid, NY (January 3, 2025) – Five hundred art students from the Olympic Region counties of Clinton, Essex, and Franklin begin participation this week in a seven-week winter art-in-sports educational program.
The program, titled “Olympism – A New Century of Winter Arts-in-Sports,” is hosted by the Al Oerter Foundation/Art of the Olympians (AOF/AOTO) in collaboration with the Olympic Regional Development Authority, the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and with the assistances and guidance from leadership of the New York State Region 5 Art Teachers Association.
Educational instruction for the course is being shared between teachers of participating student art classes and by a team of international Olympian and Paralympian artists. Sessions, which will culminate with and an art awards celebration on March 8 at the Lake Placid Conference Center, have been designed to provide students with a last impression about the spirit of Olympism by focusing on sport with art and the rich history of winter sports in the Adirondack region.
Leading the AOTO member Olympian/Paralympian artists contingent is AOF’s Roald Bradstock, a two-time Olympian whose affinity for impressionist art has given him the international moniker as the Olympian Picasso. Joining him as instructors are internationally known artists Neil Eckersley and Annabel Eyres. Eyres, a former sculler, most recently was chosen by the International Olympic Committee to serve as one of six Olympian artists for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
Art students from school classes, grades four to senior level, will be participating in educational and art contest activities. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded to the best in show student artists in elementary, middle, and high school level competition. Competition winners will be announced at the March 8 Lake Placid program-ending celebration.
Olympic Regional Development Authority Media Contact: Lisa Carter, lcarter@orda.org
Al Oerter Foundation/Art of the Olympians Media Contact: Cathy Oerter, info@aloerter.org.
ABOUT THE OLYMPIC AUTHORITY
Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid. The Olympic Authority operates Whiteface, Belleayre, and Gore Mountains, Mt Van Hoevenberg, the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval, the Olympic Jumping Complex, and the Olympic Center. As host to international, national, regional, and local events, the Olympic Authority’s venues are destinations and economic catalysts of the regions it serves.
ABOUT THE AL OERTER FOUNDATION/ART OF THE OLYMPIANS
The Al Oerter Foundation (AOF) and its program organization – Art of the Olympians (AOTO) – is a chartered Fort Myers, Florida not-for-profit foundation created in 2006 by four-time gold medalist Al Oerter. Through Olympian and Paralympian artists, AOF/AOTO uniquely couples art exhibitions with education by providing programs of art, education, sport, and cultural outreach – both nationally and internationally – to inspire individuals and communities to uphold the virtues of the Olympic ideals.
Lake Placid, NY (January 3, 2025) – Five hundred art students from the Olympic Region counties of Clinton, Essex, and Franklin begin participation this week in a seven-week winter art-in-sports educational program.
The program, titled “Olympism – A New Century of Winter Arts-in-Sports,” is hosted by the Al Oerter Foundation/Art of the Olympians (AOF/AOTO) in collaboration with the Olympic Regional Development Authority, the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and with the assistances and guidance from leadership of the New York State Region 5 Art Teachers Association.
Educational instruction for the course is being shared between teachers of participating student art classes and by a team of international Olympian and Paralympian artists. Sessions, which will culminate with and an art awards celebration on March 8 at the Lake Placid Conference Center, have been designed to provide students with a last impression about the spirit of Olympism by focusing on sport with art and the rich history of winter sports in the Adirondack region.
Leading the AOTO member Olympian/Paralympian artists contingent is AOF’s Roald Bradstock, a two-time Olympian whose affinity for impressionist art has given him the international moniker as the Olympian Picasso. Joining him as instructors are internationally known artists Neil Eckersley and Annabel Eyres. Eyres, a former sculler, most recently was chosen by the International Olympic Committee to serve as one of six Olympian artists for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
Art students from school classes, grades four to senior level, will be participating in educational and art contest activities. Gold, silver, and bronze medals will be awarded to the best in show student artists in elementary, middle, and high school level competition. Competition winners will be announced at the March 8 Lake Placid program-ending celebration.
Olympic Regional Development Authority Media Contact: Lisa Carter, lcarter@orda.org
Al Oerter Foundation/Art of the Olympians Media Contact: Cathy Oerter, info@aloerter.org.
ABOUT THE OLYMPIC AUTHORITY
Established in 1982, the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) was created by the State of New York to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid. The Olympic Authority operates Whiteface, Belleayre, and Gore Mountains, Mt Van Hoevenberg, the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval, the Olympic Jumping Complex, and the Olympic Center. As host to international, national, regional, and local events, the Olympic Authority’s venues are destinations and economic catalysts of the regions it serves.
ABOUT THE AL OERTER FOUNDATION/ART OF THE OLYMPIANS
The Al Oerter Foundation (AOF) and its program organization – Art of the Olympians (AOTO) – is a chartered Fort Myers, Florida not-for-profit foundation created in 2006 by four-time gold medalist Al Oerter. Through Olympian and Paralympian artists, AOF/AOTO uniquely couples art exhibitions with education by providing programs of art, education, sport, and cultural outreach – both nationally and internationally – to inspire individuals and communities to uphold the virtues of the Olympic ideals.