Awards of Sport / Since 1984

Sport Artist
of the Year

Celebrating Murray Henderson,
2026 Sport Artist of the Year.

Meet the 2026 recipient
Football and baseball paintings by Murray Henderson, the 2026 Sport Artist of the Year.
Murray Henderson · 2026 Sport Artist of the Year Artwork: Murray Henderson · USSU

A tribute to the artist
and the athlete

From the intensity of competition to the grace of movement, sport inspires extraordinary art. The Sport Artist of the Year Award honors artists who capture that spirit for future generations.

2026

Murray Henderson

Painter · Lakefield, Ontario, Canada

Henderson’s “Exact Abstract” style combines detailed portraiture with expressive abstraction, layered color, and energetic paintwork to capture the emotion and movement of sport.

Celebrate the 2026 honoree at ASAMA’s reception and award ceremony on November 9, 2026, from 5–7 p.m.

Artist & event details
Basketball and baseball paintings by Murray Henderson from the 2026 Sport Artist of the Year announcement.
Artwork by Murray Henderson · USSU

2025

Gary Blevins

Painter · Springfield, Ohio

A medallion recipient beside a basketball painting at the Sport Artist of the Year celebration.
From the Sport Artist of the Year archive · ASAMA

2024

Richard Sullivan

Painter · Louisville, Kentucky

A former professional baseball player, Sullivan brings the energy of the game to watercolor and oil paintings.

Explore the artist
Richard Sullivan with guests and his baseball painting at the 2024 award presentation.
Richard Sullivan at the 2024 presentation · USSU

2023

Steve Skipper

Painter · Homewood, Alabama

Known for his detailed, realistic style, Skipper works in oils, pastels, acrylics, and pencil.

Explore the artist
Steve Skipper pictured in the university’s 2023 award announcement.
Steve Skipper · USSU

2020

No award presented

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2019

Steven Lester

Painter · Atlanta, Georgia

After a career in commercial creative work, Lester turned his focus to expressive paintings of athletes in action.

Explore the artist
Steven Lester in his Atlanta studio with a painting of Nick Saban.
Steven Lester in his studio · USSU

2010

TAFA

Painter · Ghana & New York

2007

LeRoy Neiman

Painter · New York City, NY

Neiman brought the action of sport to vivid, energetic paintings, often working live at major sporting events.

Explore the artist
A painting of fencers by LeRoy Neiman.
LeRoy Neiman · ASAMA artist archive

1998

James Rizzi

Painter · Brooklyn, NY

Rizzi’s bright, playful compositions celebrate everyday life, from the streets of New York to the ballpark.

Explore the artist
A winter sports painting by James Rizzi.
James Rizzi · ASAMA artist archive

1984

Ernie Barnes

Painter · Los Angeles, CA

The first Sport Artist of the Year, Barnes captured the passion and elegance of sport. He was honored again in 2004.

Explore the artist
A painting of runners by Ernie Barnes.
Ernie Barnes · ASAMA artist archive

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