Clown School Depicted in this mural are the three main types of clowns seated on a bench in the trompe-l'oeil tradition.
Balloons glide overhead and a hidden lady bug adds smiles to the sharp-eyed passerby.
The figures are portrayals of actual Lake Placid Clowns. TOBY, aka Keith Stokes , founder of Toby's Clown School, represents the Auguste clown. This type, which originated in Germany, has wild hair, over-sized shoes, wild clothing, and always bears the brunt of clown jokes. Originating in England, this joker is portrayed as the intelligent one, and always instigates the tricks. Lacking bathing facilities, they were unshaven.