As the Olympics get underway there is good news for the arts. The New York Times reported this week that four athletes will be participating in the Olympics in Pyeongchang, not as competitors, but as artists in residence.

Gold     ©2018 Elizabeth Fram, 8.5 x 11 inches, Ink on paper                                                              No question, we have an Olympic caliber snoozer in the family.

Did you have any idea (I didn’t) that for almost 40 years (1912-1948) Olympic medals were awarded for artistic excellence in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, and music in addition to athletics? The practice was instituted by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern games and the IOC. Classically educated, de Coubertin held the belief that to be a true Olympian one must exhibit skills in music and literature to round out athletic prowess. He couldn’t conceive of a re-creation of the original games without the inclusion of the arts. To read more about this forgotten piece of history, check out Joseph Stromberg’s article for Smithsonian.com which outlines the rise and fall of the arts segment of Olympic competition.

Silver    ©2018 Elizabeth Fram, 8.5 x 11 inches, Ink on paper

Fast-forward to contemporary times…in strategizing a roadmap for the future of the Olympics, the IOC has instituted Agenda 2020 which, among other initiatives, recognizes that the arts should be restored to their rightful place at the Games. An artist in residence program was established in 2014, kicked off with French street artist JR, American Vine star Gerald Andal and German writer Tilman Spengler.

Bronze      ©2018 Elizabeth Fram, 8 x 7 inches, Ink on paper

This year’s artists will be bringing a more direct return to de Coubertin’s original vision as, in addition to being artists, they are all former Olympic athletes. There will be no medals involved, but in keeping with the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence, these artists will be making work alongside and, in some cases, with this year’s athletes.
I can’t think of a better way to elevate and promote the spirit of the Olympics.

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For more information on the partnership between artists and the Olympics, read about the AOTO (Art of the Olympians). A foundation created by the late Olympian and artist Al Oerter, AOTO is a “unique platform (that) shows the connection between sport, art and the Olympics and celebrates the Olympic and Paralympic athlete, while promoting Olympic ideals and values”.

And speaking of artist residencies, I just learned I will be heading to the Vermont Studio Center for Vermont Artists’ Week this spring!