Dick Button

Dick Button is widely considered one of the premiere male figure skaters. He dominated the world of figure skating for a seven-year period, winning two Olympic gold medals (1948 and 1952), five consecutive World Championships, seven U.S. National titles and North American and European Championships. Button has since had a long and illustrious broadcasting career from 1960-2010, becoming the first winner of an Emmy Award for “Outstanding Sports Personality – Analyst” and too many Halls of Fame to count. In December, 2015 he was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame as the first honoree of the “Sports Analyst” category.  His legacy of the sport extends beyond competition, performance, analysis and production into building a diverse and distinguished collection of paintings, prints, posters, sculptures, costumes, and folk art that honors the long history, evolving artistry, and cultural impact of skating.

This diverse collection of ice skating art ranges from 17th-century Dutch paintings to 20th-century sculpture and showcases the full range of media in which ice skating has appeared. The pieces shed light on the pervasiveness of the sport in everyday life across various cultures and time periods. In addition to fine art, visitors will see costumes, photographs, advertising art, antique skates, and much more. With its wide range of art forms, links to history, and connections to American culture, this family-friendly exhibit appeals to all—including skating enthusiasts who will find it quite gratifying.