Olympians Reach Out to Children's Hospital

Feb. 27, 2012 - PRLog -- Art of the Olympians (AOTO) and Lee Memorial Health System continue to celebrate “Life in Full Color”, a patient-based outreach program that provides a positive outlet for children battling illness to share their stories and their inspirations through art.


Momentum for “Life in Full Color” continues on February 27 as Emanuela Pierantozzi, an Italian Olympian in the sport of judo, visits with the children at The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. Pierantozzi will share Olympic stories and artistic passion with the children as they work transform clay into unique sculptures.


Olympic athletes approach every day, with determination, trying to be their very best, without knowing what the outcome will be.  An athlete’s journey towards excellence is achieved by looking deep within themselves to find motivation to move forward when obstacles became too much. Much like the children fighting an illness must.


According to Pierantozzi, a strong balance of athletics and art complements one’s spirit and is an emotional outlet.


AOTO and Lee Memorial Health System are striving to establish a creative environment that encourages constructive responses to illness. Olympians Artists connect with children battling illness, their families, and health care providers to bring the arts into the mainstream of restoring bodily, mental and spiritual health.


“It is a joy to be able to help our youth discover their voice,” said Pierantozzi. “The key to unlocking that treasure is creating a positive, affirming environment that will enable the children's stories to unfold through the art they create.”


Pierantozzi has won numerous European and World championship competitions as well as being a two-time medalist in the Olympics and a member of the Italian Olympic Committee. She started sculpting in 2001 and is now a professional sculptor as well as a judo instructor, and is on the faculty of the University of Bologna.

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Art of the Olympians, a 501(c ) 3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to inspiring creativity & stimulating change through an international program of art, education and outreach initiatives.