Gregory Burns

Gregory Burns, MFA, PLY (born 1957) is an American athlete, painter, author, motivational speaker and member of Art of the Olympians.

Gregory Burns was born in Washington, D.C. in 1957.

His father, Robert J. Burns, served in the diplomatic corps, and as a result he spent 10 years of his childhood abroad.

He contracted polio in Jerusalem in 1958, which left him paralyzed from the waist down.

At age three, he took to the water to learn to swim.

At age six, he began painting lessons while living in Paris.

His early schooling took place in France, Germany, Maryland, and the Netherlands.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a minor in Fine Art from the University of California, Santa Barbara (1976-1980), and a Master in Painting (MFA) in 1999 from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia.

Burns conducted postgraduate studies at (1) Cabrillo College, near Santa Cruz, California, studying commercial and fine art (1982-1984), (2) Chung Da University/National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan, studying Chinese painting & calligraphy and history (in Mandarin; 1984-1985), and (3) Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Australia, earning a Master of Fine Art in Painting (1998-1999).

His paintings have been shown in 80 solo exhibitions plus dozens of group exhibitions in 15 countries.

Burns has conducted 40 Artist-in-Residence programs around the globe.

As a philanthropist, since 1984, Burns has supported numerous disadvantaged children’s groups and communities throughout Asia and the USA.

For several years, the US Embassy sent Burns deep into the fabric of China, Mongolia and Singapore as a Cultural Ambassador to share his uplifting message with thousands of locals.

In the spirit of Robin Hood, Burns has endeavored to inspire people with disabilities and children who have experienced trauma or poverty to rise above their limitations.

During a charity auction in Beijing, one of Burns's paintings sold for USD $90,000 which was used to build a school in rural China.

As a competitive swimmer, Burns represented the USA in the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Paralympic Games, winning two gold, two silver and one bronze medal; he has set 5 World records and numerous American records.

Retiring from the Paralympics, he transitioned to IronMan events, competing in the Korea IronMan and Singapore IronMan events.

He has also trekked in the Himalayas, hiked the Grand Canyon and summited Half Dome in Yosemite, Jade Mountain in Taiwan and Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia.

As a contemporary artist, his paintings have been exhibited in over 80 solo exhibitions and group exhibitions in 15 different countries.

Burns has conducted over 40 Artist-in-Residence programs around the globe, one of which was featured on CNN.

As a competitive swimmer, Burns represented the USA in the 1992 (Barcelona), 1996 (Atlanta), and 2000 (Sydney) Paralympic Games, winning two gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal.

He set 5 world records in Paralympic swimming and numerous national records.

Retiring from the Paralympics in 2004, he transitioned into endurance sporting events; Burns completed the 2006 Korea IronMan race and the Singapore Half-IronMan races in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012.

Burns is also an avid scuba diver, surfer, hiker, hand cyclist and sit-down snow skier.

As a contemporary artist, Burns has been described as an abstract impressionist.

As an author, Burns has published three books: Painted Journey (2005) and The Art of Mindfulness (2014) in English, and Color Your Life (2008) in Mandarin.

As a motivational speaker, Burns's topics include the following:

• Beyond Limitations, One Step at a Time: Going beyond self-imposed limitations.

• The Hero’s Journey: Referencing Joseph Campbell’s seminal writings on the stages of life.

• Adapting & Balancing Work and Personal Life: Maintaining a holistic view of one’s personal and professional activities.

• The Artist’s Journey: Embracing the artist within.

• Disability Awareness: Embracing disability and diversity.

He is the recipient of the United States Sports Academy’s 2016 Sport Artist of the Year award, (painter).

He is the recipient of the United States Sports Academy’s 2016 Sport Artist of the Year award (painter).

During the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, Gregory was one of six Olympic and Paralympic artists who were commissioned by the Olympic Foundation for Culture & Heritage to create artwork for the ‘Olympic Agora’ which was exhibited throughout Tokyo during the 2021 games, and showcased the connection between sports and art.

Gregory’s paintings are now part of the Olympic Museum collection in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Burns is also a member of the Olympic Education Commission.

As an author, Burns has published two books in English and one in Mandarin, and has written for numerous magazines.

As a motivational speaker, Burns delivers powerful multi-media keynotes and intimate fireside chats which inspire individuals to go beyond their limitations.

In addition, through unique Interactive Team Art Events, Burns leads groups through a creative art making process, which promotes positive interpersonal communications and fosters out of the box thinking.