Our Mission

Art of the Olympians (AOTO) is a global learning center, which brings together Olympic athletes to promote the highest ideals of humanity. Through their creative talents, AOTO is able to provide programs of art, education, sport and cultural outreach to showcase the sport/art relationship and begin to inspire the world.

The AOTO Museum and Gallery at the Al Oerter Center of Excellence is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization home to unique exhibitions of Olympian art, Olympic memorabilia and educational activities. The Museum and Gallery opened its doors in January 2010 with great notoriety and later secured the rights to display the USA Olympic Rings – an act protected by Congress.

AOTO founder, the late USA Olympic discus thrower Al Oerter, was never favored to win at the Olympics. Despite these predictions, he went on to win Olympic gold medals at four consecutive Games. Oerter defied odds, overcame adversity and grew both as a man and as an athlete by simply setting goals, establishing a strong work ethic and working to be at his best. It was this drive to uphold life’s simple values‐ friendship, respect, fair play – as learned through his Olympic journey and that has provided the foundation for a modern day arena, AOTO, where individuals are encouraged to strive for excellence in all avenues of life by discovering a passion for art, sport and education. What started with one man’s vision grew into a traveling exhibition of eight Olympian Artists and has since developed into an educational center and international outreach initiative with a family of more than 70 international Olympian Artists. Today, our Olympic family continues to grow and increase our global reach through dynamic educational programs.