LAKE PLACID — An international cast of famous Olympian and Paralympian artists will be serving as guest instructors to more than 400 North Country student artists participating this January in a winter art-in-sports program.

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.

“Each instructor, besides their international athletic prowess,” Bradstock said, “brings an extensive art background that will be essential to delivering a helpful and encouraging life’s message to participating students.”

AOF CEO Cathy Oerter praised and thanked area New York State Assemblyman Billy Jones for his support of the program. “He has been the driving force for the program’s three-county creation that provides youth of the North Country the opportunity to learn the essence of Olympism while engaging in an art-in-sport program highlighting this region’s winter sports history.”

“Following the ‘Move History Forward’ art event this past March we are excited to continue the partnership with the Al Oerter Foundation,” said Ashley Walden, ORDA president and CEO. “Thanks to the support of Assemblymember Jones, this partnership is helping future generations be engaged in art through sport.”

“I am happy to support the Al Oerter Foundation global platform of Art by Olympians that now will bring Olympism-inspired projects to the classroom,” Jones said. “The youth in our community are being raised in a place with a rich Olympic legacy and this initiative will showcase their creativity inspired by sport and Olympic values.”

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.