Beacon of Hope: New Special Olympics Georgia Cauldron for the Flame of Hope to be Unveiled Nov. 10

STATESBORO, Ga., Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Duke Oursler used to help run concession stands and run other errands at Special Olympics events his mom ran in Kansas. And recently, using his art and sculpting talents, he built something even greater for the movement: a bright and shiny beacon of hope for the athletes in Georgia.

The lighting of the new cauldron marks the opening of the games. This high energy portion of the Opening Ceremony is carried out by athletes and law enforcement officers and is always a highlight of the ceremony. The new Special Olympics cauldron will be unveiled at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 on the lawn of the Bulloch County Court House in downtown, followed by a reception at the Averitt Center for the Arts. The cauldron is made of sanded stainless steel that looks like marble. Steps were built in the back where the torch lighter can easily light the fuse.

"It'll be like a shining moment the athletes experience at Games. I wanted to reflect that energy, because that's what it's all about," said Oursler, a Savannah State University art instructor. It took three months to create and design the cauldron and about a month to sand until it was sparkly into almost a mirror surface, like a piece of forever-lasting jewelry, he said.

The cauldron was designed and created to help in the celebration of Special Olympics Georgia's 40th Anniversary.

"Duke was given several ideas and he took those ideas and created a cauldron that would make all of our athletes, coaches, volunteers, Law Enforcement Torch Run officers, parents, sponsors and staff proud to be involved in the Special Olympics movement and to ignite the flame of hope," said SOGA's Vice President of Programs Robert Yost.

The cauldron will be lit for the first time Friday, Nov. 12 at State Fall Games Opening Ceremony at South East Bulloch High School.

About Duke Oursler

Oursler is an artist and instructor at Savannah State University and Georgia Southern University. He earned a Masters in Fine Arts from Georgia Southern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from University of Northern Iowa. Among his accolades is Best in Show at the 2009 Annual Florida Sculpture Competition. Oursler teaches sculpture, woodworking wielding and stone carving.

About Special Olympics Georgia

SOGA invests in individuals with intellectual disabilities, helping them to develop athletic skills, while also promoting the abilities of the athletes off field. Serving 23,078 athletes throughout the state, SOGA strives to develop community, build self-esteem, and focus the eyes of the world on all that is good and hopeful.

SOURCE Special Olympics Georgia