Wojciech Zablocki Visits AOTO Friday, Aug. 20
The Art of the Olympians (AOTO) welcomes Polish Olympian Artist and renowned architect, Wojciech Zablocki to Fort Myers for the opening of his art exhibition.
Families, friends and community members are invited to attend the reception, courtesy of Owen Ames and Kimball, on Friday, August 20th from 5-8 p.m. Zablocki’s Exhibit will be in the Cultural Experience Gallery at the Art of the Olympians Al Oerter Center for Excellence at 1300 Hendry Street. Wojciech Zablocki has traveled from Poland to attend the opening of his exhibition and to give a luncheon lecture to area architects. Guests at the opening reception will enjoy his Olympic stories, gain insight into his architectural design, view his exceptional water color paintings and be inspired. Admission to the reception is free of charge.
The Wojciech Zabłocki Exhibit reflects the many passions of a dedicated and decorated athlete with five World Fencing Championships and the honor of competing in four Olympic Games: 1952 Helsinki, 1956 Melbourne, 1960 Rome, 1964 Tokyo and won two silver (1956, 1960) and one bronze medal (1964) in team sabre fencing. Wojciech is a world renowned architect and he has transferred his creativity into new arenas through watercolor paintings. Many of Wojciech’s works were painted from life settings; all the works reflect on understanding for space.
Dance Alive joins AOTO for Special Performance
The Dance Alive National Ballet Company (DANB) will join Art of the Olympians (AOTO) to present a unique evening of art, dance and music at the Art of the Olympians Al Oerter Center for Excellence on Friday, August 6 at 7:30 p.m.
AOTO and DANB joined in an effort to capture the passion in both art and sport to inspire individuals to strive for excellence every day. This collaboration introduced works by Olympian Artists as backgrounds for Fused Tutu, a four-part ballet that presents a journey for excellence. Featured in Part III of "Fused Tutu" is a performed around a replica of Olympian Artist Larry Young's “Tango” statue.
AOTO and DANB invite friends, families and community members join in the celebration of the arts. Berne Davis, a long-time supporter of the Arts in Southwest Florida and of Art of the Olympians, will welcome a 15-foot replica of Larry Young’s Tango to the Art of the Olympians collection at 7:30 p.m. The statue was replicated by artist Paul Costanza so that it could be flown, turned and toured with the DANB "Fused Tutu"
AOTO will welcome DANB performers Carla Amancio and Andre Valladon in a special presentation of Tango from “Fused Tutu” at 7:45 p.m. in the Sports Experience Gallery. Admission to the event is free.
"The DANB performances are beautiful examples of the fusion of art and sport and the evening will be an uplifting experience for all who attend," said Cathy Oerter, AOTO Chairwoman.
In the spring of 2010, "Fused Tutu" toured the state introducing patrons to the passion in a pursuit of excellence. The major new work "SOAR" was choreographed by founder and director, Kim Tuttle and Dance Alive choreographer-in-residence Judy Skinner.
"It is about the Olympic ideal of striving for excellence", Tuttle said about the piece.
"SOAR" is comprised of several parts; each inspired by specific works by three AOTO visual artists and begins with Liston Bochette’s “Affirmation”. This first section of the ballet is named “The Dream”. The drawing is of a baby holding the globe signifying the dreams and potential of youth.
The second part is “The Passion” and was inspired by the paintings of Al Oerter, the late great discus thrower. It depicts what fires you, what gets you going as an individual.
The third section was danced around Larry Young’s 15’ bronze sculpture entitled, "Tango" and began with a tango.
Art of the Olympians chosen to design “Look of the Games”
The United States Gymnastics Federation will host its National Championships in Hartford Connecticut from August 11 – 14 2010. Art of the Olympians has been chosen to design the “Look of the Games”.
This special honor will promote sport and the arts among the competitors and the public alike.
Color field paintings created by the late great Olympian Al Oerter will adorn banners, posters, bill boards, T-shirts, and even the accreditations that the athletes wear around their necks. Oerter was a four time Gold medalist and is considered to be the role model for all Olympians around the world.
Oerter was a recognized artist with talent rivaling his famous athletic accomplishments. Visa is the title sponsor for the Championships. Oerter and Visa worked on projects together over the years.
In addition the acclaimed Olympian artist Liston Bochette will create a special commemorative work of art to acknowledge the National Championships. Bochette has done similar works for many international and national federations in the past. He was a gold medal winner at the Barcelona Olympic Games on the cultural side. His work is very sought after in many parts of the world.
AOTO will host a special exhibition of art work created by Olympians during the Championships. This exhibition will highlight works by fifteen different Olympians including Bob Beamon, Florence Griffith Joyner, Cameron Myer and other distinguished names.
SOFTBALL SHOWCASE
The Art of the Olympians (AOTO) is offering a sneak peak of their newest exhibit featuring a historic, modern and cultural look at the sport of Softball through a unique showcase of uniforms, equipment and Olympic memorabilia courtesy of the International Softball Federation (ISF)—the world governing body for the sport of softball.
Families, friends and community members are invited to attend a special reception, on Friday, July 16th from 5-8 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the Softball Showcase in the Sports Experience Gallery at the Art of the Olympians Al Oerter Center for Excellence at 1300 Hendry St., Fort Myers, Fla. Admission to the reception is free of charge.
Softball is a sport celebrated and played by men and women both recreationally and competitively in ISF’s 128 affiliated countries resulting in millions of participants in the sport worldwide. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 40 million Americans will play at least one game of softball during a year making it the most popular participant sport in the US. Common disciplines include fast pitch and slow pitch, but the sport also has a modified pitch, arena softball, wheelchair softball and beach softball.
Through the collaborative effort of AOTO and ISF, the Softball Showcase will present guests an opportunity to learn about the evolution of softball from its origin to the debut of women’s fast pitch softball at the 1996 Games in Atlanta to the world championships. The exhibit will be on display at the Al Oerter Center of Excellence until September 4, 2010.
CELEBRATE OLYMPIC DAY – June 23
Art of the Olympians (AOTO) and the City of Fort Myers join the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic committees across the globe in celebration of Olympic Day on June 23.
To commemorate the excellence of the Ancient Olympic Ideals of mind, body and spirit, AOTO will host a celebration on June 23 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. at Art of the Olympians Al Oerter Center for Excellence. The public is invited to the local celebration. Fort Myers Mayor Henderson will present an Olympic Day Proclamation at 1:30, and Olympians Skip Cutting and Queen Kyomo will give a short presentation in celebration of the Olympic ideals.
AOTO is offering complimentary admission to the Museum on June 23rd and will be taking donations to support its educational programs.
Olympic Day is celebrated annually on June 23 by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) with events at the Olympic Training Centers and official training sites, as well as coordinating activities with affiliated sport National Governing Bodies and multi-sport organizations. This year, through a partnership with our nation’s athletes and community based organizations, Olympic Day celebrations have expanded to cities across the country. In each community, the program will encourage physical activity and promote the Olympic values of fair play, cooperation and respect for others.
Olympic Day is a worldwide commemoration of Baron Pierre de Coubertin’s June 23, 1894, convening of the first International Olympic Committee meeting at the Sorbonne in Paris, and the founding of the Modern Olympic Games. National Olympic Committees throughout the world will also participate in the international celebration, with each Olympic Committee sending Olympic Day greetings to participating nations.
Art of the Olympians Welcomes Olympian Skip Cutting - June 18
The Art of the Olympians (AOTO) Museum is offering a sneak peak of their newest exhibit featuring the works of Skip Cutting, a two-time US Olympic Team Racing Cyclist, teacher, cycling team coach, and artist.
Families, friends and community members are invited to attend a special reception, on Friday, June 18th from 5-8 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the Skip Cutting Exhibit in the Cultural Experience Gallery at the Art of the Olympians Al Oerter Center for Excellence at 1300 Hendry St. Admission to the reception is free of charge.
Guests at the opening reception will have an opportunity to meet Skip Cutting, listen to his Olympic stories, view his exceptional paintings and be inspired. The Skip Cutting Exhibit will be on display until August 14, 2010.
Cutting has achieved many accomplishments in his sport career both as a member of the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Teams and as a member of the 1967 and 1971 Pan American Teams. As one of a small group of American 'pioneer' racing cyclists, he raced internationally in 26 countries with nearly 300 race finishes in the top three honors. In 1987, Cutting he won the world master's road race championships, and in 2002 was inducted into the U.S. Bicycle Racing Hall of Fame.
For more than 40 years, Cutting has painted, drawn in pen and ink, and sculpted to capture the passion and spirit of the Olympic experience. The Skip Cutting Exhibit highlights more than 30 multi-medium works by Cutting.
June Artwalk
The Art of the Olympians Museum (AOTO) held a special performance at the June ArtWalk featuring African Dance by Olympian Artist Nzaeli “Queen” Kyomo. Nzaeli ‘Queen’ is a two-time Tanzanian Olympian competing in the 100/200 meters in 1980 and 1984. 'Queen' also won Gold Medals in both events at the All Africa Games in Dakar. Guests at Art Walk are also invited to stroll through the Sports Experience Gallery and take in the Winter Olympic Sports Exhibit as they sit in a bobsled, lay on a luge and meander through Olympic Team uniforms and memorabilia. The Cultural Experience Gallery will feature works by AOTO’s founders and Olympian Artists Al Oerter, the legendary four-time Olympic Gold Medalist in the discus, and Liston Bochette, Olympian, artist, and AOTO Board Member. The Founder’s Exhibit is a celebration of creativity and marks a milestone in history for Olympians, artists and Olympic enthusiasts.
Art Walk is a unique walking art tour featuring artwork on display at the Art of the Olympians Museum, the downtown art galleries and at several art stops in the Fort Myers River District. Check out the art along with the galleries, restaurants and creative downtown businesses. Enjoy musical performances, great food and find surprises around every corner. ArtWalk is held the first Friday of every month from 6 to 10 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
Cathy Oerter
AOTO spreads its wings in search of program partnerships with the University of Kansas – Al Oerter’s alma mater. Cathy Oerter, AOTO Board member, met with Lew Perkins, the Athletic Director University of Kansas in Lawrence, and local leaders to talk about the implementation of AOTO programs and potential projects. Pictured are Lori Norwood, sculpture artist and heptathlete; Jim Schwartzberg, businessman; and Candace Dunback, pentathlete and curator for the Booth Family Hall of Athletics.
interview with Bob Beamon
Interview with Tony Moore
And now a tale about a Pacific island track and field athlete who reached the quarter finals of the Montreal Olympic Games only to retire the following year at 25 years of age. Tony Moore was the face of Fiji athletics during the 1970's - in 1971 he became national champion in long jump, 100m and 200m sprints - setting records that stood for nearly 30 years. His personal best was in the long jump at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games - an Oceania record which remained untouched for 25 years. In 1976, as a 24 year old, Moore reached the knockout finals of the Montreal Olympic Games where he also served as head of mission. The following year he moved to Australia and bowed-out of competitive sport. Tony Moore who has recently been inducted into Fiji's Sports Hall of Fame, spoke to Tanya O'Shea about why he chose athletics over rugby union.