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Eunice Kennedy Shriver, with son Mark Shriver behind her, views her portrait at the 9 May unveiling at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
Special Olympics Founder Honored in Historic Painting
On 9 May 2009, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., unveiled a historic portrait of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympicsfounder, Best Buddies International Board Member, and champion of people with intellectual disabilities. The painting is the first portrait the Gallery has ever commissioned of an individual who has not served as a U.S. President or First Lady. It will become a part of the Gallery's permanent collection.
The portrait of Mrs. Shriver depicts her with several Special Olympics athletes and Best Buddies participants, including Airika Straka (Special Olympics Wisconsin), Katie Meade (Best Buddies Iowa), Andy Leonard (Special Olympics Ohio), Loretta Claiborne (Special Olympics Pennsylvania) and Marty Sheets (Special Olympics North Carolina). View a larger image of the portrait, and a slideshow of the unveiling.
“Mrs. Shriver being chosen for this portrait is very fitting and we are absolutely honored that Marty was included," said Dave Sheets, Marty Sheets' father. “The world has changed for people with intellectual disabilities, and she spearheaded that.”
“This portrait speaks volumes of my mother’s tireless efforts to change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities,” said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman and CEO. “My mother and our entire family are truly moved that the National Portrait Gallery commissioned David Lenz to paint this incredible piece capturing her amazing connection with Best Buddies and Special Olympics.”
The Inspiration Behind the Portrait
Lenz was the winner of the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2006. As part of the Portrait Competition prize, the National Portrait Gallery commissions a work from the winning artist to depict a living subject for the collection. Lenz, whose son, Sam, has Down syndrome and is an enthusiastic Special Olympics athlete, was inspired by Mrs. Shriver’s dedication to working with people with intellectual disabilities. Listen to an interview with Lenz and to an audio recording of the dedication ceremony
“This project is extremely meaningful to me because Mrs. Shriver has tirelessly advocated for people like Sam,” said Lenz. “She has led the world to be a more welcoming place for people with intellectual disabilities.”
"Mrs. Shriver showed the world that individuals with intellectual disabilities count as people," said Claiborne. "If they are just given a chance, you'll never imagine where it will take them. She changed the world for so many people."
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| | What YOU Can Do | |
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| | - Get in touch with Special Olympics near you to see what you can do to help.
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| | - Get in the game by joining Special Olympics Unified Sports®, where people with and without intellectual disabilities train and compete together on the same team.
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