Because of his meticulous attention to detail and uncanny ability to capture the iconic expressions of his larger-than-life subjects, nationally renowned painter Brian Fox has been named the United States Sports Academy’s 2020 Sport Artist of the Year, Painter.

A resident of Somerset, Mass., Fox specializes in painting the world’s greatest legends in sports and music. Fox has painted some of the biggest icons of our time, including the late Jackie Robinson, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, actor Johnny Depp, boxer Muhammad Ali, baseball Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter and soccer superstar Pele.

The Sport Artist of the Year award presentation is part of the institution’s annual Academy’s Awards of Sport (AAOS) event and reception on Thursday, 12 November, 2020 on the Academy campus in Daphne, Ala. The event, which is free and open to the public, is part of the Academy’s 36^th Annual Awards of Sport program, a celebration of sport and art and a “Tribute to the Artist and the Athlete.”

The Academy’s Awards of Sport honor those who have made significant contributions to sport in categories as diverse as the artist and the athlete. The Academy’s American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA) annually recognizes these men and women through its Sport Artist of the Year, Medallion Series, Honorary Doctorates, Athletes of the Year and Alumni of the Year Awards.

“Being recognized by a prestigious organization such as the United States Sports Academy is an incredible honor,” Fox said. “I am as humbled as I am grateful.

“Having been selected for this honor is truly one of the highlights of my career, especially given that I’m in the company of such talented artists as Stephen Holland and LeRoy Neiman—previous recipients—who have positively influenced my life’s work.”

Fox has exhibited his works in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, and Lexington. His art is featured in numerous galleries around the country. Over the course of a 20-year career, Fox has also been able to forge relationships with celebrities, athletes and corporations, and charitable organizations. Because of those relationships, Fox’s work can be found in many corporate and private collections, including those owned by singer Steven Tyler, NFL quarterback Tom Brady and supermodel Gisele Bündchen, actor Mark Wahlberg, NASCAR’s Dale Earnhardt Jr. and many others.

In addition to being honored as the official artist for the 2009 NHL Winter Classic, Fox has been selected as the official commemorative artist for Major League Baseball’s 2007- 2009 All-Star Games, as well as the official artist for the 2007 World Series held in Boston.

One highlight of Fox’s career happened when, in anticipation for the 2010 Olympics and 30th Anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice,” the artist collaborated with Olympic hero Jim Craig to create a collection of original artwork commemorating the United States hockey team’s historic victory over the Soviet Union in 1980. The first release in the series was a portrait of Craig draped in the American flag. Fox was also commissioned by a private collector to produce a one-of-a-kind collectors portrait commemorating the 30-year anniversary of “Miracle on Ice.” The portrait was signed by all members of the 1980 U.S. Hockey Team, including Craig. Fox’s work has been selected in the Society of Illustrators in New York and Los Angeles. The artist has also produced a series of original paintings exclusively for Walt Disney Parks and Cruise lines. Fox’s artwork exhibits and sells throughout the United States.