“Brave in the Attempt: Special Olympics in Louisiana,” which opens May 5 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, explores the history of Special Olympics with an emphasis on the organization’s efforts in Louisiana. The seeds for Special Olympics Louisiana were planted at the 1968 Special Olympics Games on Soldier’s Field in Chicago.
To document the history of Special Olympics Louisiana, “Brave in the Attempt: Special Olympics in Louisiana” includes numerous images and almost 50 artifacts. Among the highlights are swimmer Ashley Arceneaux’s swimsuit, cap and goggles and medals from Special Olympics athletes Matthew and Joseph Guichard. Many of the items included in the exhibition document one of Special Olympics Louisiana’s most notable achievements: hosting the 1983 Special Olympics Summer World Games in Baton Rouge. Among the exhibit’s multimedia components is video footage shot by Louisiana Public Broadcasting that captures the opening and closing ceremonies, including speeches by former governor David Treen, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy.
The exhibition opens with a reception Saturday, May 5, at 6 p.m. with drinks and appetizers. The public is invited to this free opening.
