This winter and spring, the North Country Art-in-Sports Program brought together the creative talents of our middle school students and Olympian artists in a series of inspiring events. Prior to events that took place in Lake Placid, our students participated in Zoom sessions with Olympic artists who provided them with feedback on their artwork.
Student Art Awards Celebration
On Saturday, March 8 at the Lake Placid Conference Center, the Student Art Awards Celebration took place. This event showcased Art-in-Sports artwork created by our middle school students as well as other students from Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties, alongside the Olympian and Paralympian art exhibition. The celebration recognized the incredible talents of young artists and their contributions to the vibrant art community. Bennett Babbie, a sixth-grader from Davis Elementary (pictured in the cover photo on the website), received silver for his artwork.
Olympian Artists at a Glance
The North Country Art-in-Sports Program also highlighted the achievements of Olympian artists, including Roald Bradstock, Neil Eckersley, Beth Livingston, Valarie Gruest, Annabel Eyres, and Lanny Barnes. These artists have seamlessly blended their athletic prowess with their artistic talents, creating stunning works that inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
Roald Bradstock: A two-time Olympian from Great Britain turned artist, Bradstock is the executive director of the Al Oerter Foundation/Art of the Olympians. His passion for the Olympics, sport, and art began at a young age and has led him to become a renowned artist, known as "The Olympic Picasso."
Neil Eckersley: A bronze medalist in Judo at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Eckersley has returned to his love of art with a stunning portfolio exhibited globally. His work is full of life and emotions, reflecting his experiences and passion.
Beth Livingston: An artist, educator, and Paralympic athlete, Livingston has overcome paraplegia to achieve success in alpine racing, Nordic skiing, and biathlon. Her unique art expression combines found objects with traditional methods, creating masterful compositions.
Valarie Gruest: An Olympic swimmer and multi-disciplinary artist from Guatemala, Gruest's work explores the impact of new media on body image issues and the visibility of marginalized communities. Her art draws from her background as an Olympic athlete, competing in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Annabel Eyres: A talented artist and Olympian rower, Eyres competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Her figurative art depicts the human form in motion, inspired by her athletic experiences and artistic studies at Oxford University.
Lanny Barnes: A three-time Olympian biathlete, Barnes specializes in wildlife art using white charcoals on black fine art papers and canvas. Her participation as an artist in resident at the 2018 Winter Olympics has profoundly impacted her art career.
These events and exhibitions have provided a platform our middle school students and Olympian artists to showcase their talents, fostering a sense of community and inspiring future generations. The North Country Art-in-Sports Program continues to celebrate the intersection of art and athletics, bringing creativity and passion to the forefront.
