THE FOUNDATION
Studying, preserving, and celebrating the culture and visual heritage of amateur wrestling. Developing the next generation of makers and building the artist community in our sport.
what we do
Art & design
Celebrating and enhancing the visual identity of our sport
education
Educational programming, including a free summer camp and apprenticeships
recognition
Aesthetics Awards - the standard of excellence for style and design in the wrestling
The Aesthetics Awards
The only annual recognition of design and style excellence in amateur wrestling. Since 2025, setting the standard for what the sport can look like.
Summer camp
Free program for young wrestler and artists
2026 Dates: July 20-24, 2026
apprentice program
Developing the next generation of makers and designers.
the people behind the foundation
Ross Bendik
founder & creative director
I started wrestling in the early 1990s and always viewed the sport through an artist's eye - more drawn to the visual identity of a program than the technique on the mat. That perspective never left me.
When my twin sons were born, I introduced them to wrestling with the same perspective. I taught them about the culture, the aesthetics, the visual language of the sport. I began sharing this content on social media. I was inspired when I discovered that the wrestling community wanted to learn about and engage around the art, the design, and the stories behind the moments that shaped our culture.
The Foundation for Wrestling Art exists to study, preserve, and celebrate the visual identity and culture of our beloved sport.
The Journal
Our thoughts and analysis of the aesthetics of amateur wrestling.
Support the foundation
Michelangelo had Lorenzo d’ Medici. We have you.
Be a Patron of the Arts. Join one of our 6 levels of patronage, from Connoisseur to the Medici Circle.