LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (WCAX) – Students from Lake Placid were celebrated Tuesday for their Olympic artwork. It’s part of an international competition where the winning artwork gets a special spotlight in France ahead of the Paris Olympics.
Lake Placid middle schooler Ella Wilson was among three students who were awarded a silver medal in the International Art in Sport Contest hosted by the Al Oerter Foundation.
The theme was centered around the theme “Move History Forward,” as this summer marks 100 years since the 1924 Olympics in Paris.
“I tried to incorporate things from both of the countries, with some flowers and some different landmarks,” Wilson said.
The other silver medal went to middle schoolers Stella Hoffman and Sophie Cunniff, whose pieces focused on gymnasts.
“When we think of rhythmic gymnasts, we think of ribbons. So, for the most part, our artwork was made to be very flowy and very laid back,” Hoffman said.
“I think what resonated with swimming mostly is the unity and how the water flows between all of it and how it’s all the same, and so I wanted to make sure that I encapsulated that into one piece,” explained Matthew Corcoran, who was among high school winners.
However, the largest piece on display wasn’t from any one student but rather from an entire fourth-grade class at the elementary school.
“I hope that they understand how much they were appreciated. And we live in a special and unique area, so it’s cool to highlight that,” said Rebecca Philion, an art teacher at the school.
A copy of the fourth-grade painting is also on display in France at the Minister of Culture’s Office.
The Art in Sport exhibit can be viewed at the Olympic Center through June.