The program, “Olympism — A New Century of Winter Art-in-Sports,” is hosted by the Al Oerter Foundation/Art of the Olympians in collaboration with the Lake Placid-based state Olympic Regional Development Authority, the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and with the assistance and guidance from leadership of the New York State Region 5 Art Teachers Association.

Educational activities for participating school classes from Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties begin in early January and conclude with an awards ceremony and celebration on March 8 at the Lake Placid Conference Center.

Instructional student class sessions have been designed to provide a lasting impression about the spirit of Olympism by focusing on sport with art and the rich history of winter sports in the Adirondacks.

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.

Other members of the AOTO instructor contingent are Paralympian artist and Olympic cross-country skier Beth Livingston of Bozeman, Montana, former Guatemalan swim Olympian Valerie Gruest of Evanston, Illinois, and Durango three-time Olympian biathlete, now artist Lanny Watkins.