The Olympic Games, ATHENS 2004, are being held in Athens, Greece, from August 13-29; and the Paralympic Games will be held September 17-28. Everything you would ever need to know is on the official web site at www.athens2004.com, but the event is being celebrated many ways in the U.S., too.

--The U. S. Olympic Committee selected California artist Susan Manders as Official Olympic Artist. The painting, "All Eyes on Me," a vivid oil on canvas, will be distributed around the world as limited edition posters and prints. See it at Manders' web site, www.susanmanders.com.

--The U.S. Postal Service has issued a postage stamp to honor the 2004 Olympic Games. Designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, AZ, and created by Artist Lonnie Busch of Franklin, NC, the stamp features a stylized depiction of a Greek runner and is reminiscent of the artwork on ancient Greek black-figure vases. A vase from the U. of Pennsylvania Museum's collection provided the inspiration for the stamp artists. Seventy-one million 37-cent stamps have been printed.

Games for the Gods: The Greek Athlete and the Olympic Spirit will be at the Museum of Fine Arts (Torf Gallery), Boston, through November 28th. Vases, bronzes, marbles and coins illustrate the ancient Greek events: running, jumping, javelin and discus throwing, wrestling, boxing, horse and chariot racing; and videos and contemporary photographs depict today's champions in action.

The Games in Ancient Athens: A Special Presentation to Celebrate the 2004 Olympics is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Mary and Michael Jaharis Gallery), New York City, through October 3rd. A selection of ancient Greek vases, bronzes and other works drawn from the permanent collection showcases aspects of games held at Athens in antiquity. This special presentation is augmented by numerous examples of athletic art located throughout the New Greek Galleries.

Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 14 No. 10 -- August 2004