Murray Henderson Named 2026 Sport Artist of the Year
Murray Henderson Named 2026 ASAMA Sport Artist of the Year
DAPHNE, Ala. — Aug. 24, 2026 — Canadian contemporary artist Murray Henderson has been named the 2026 Sport Artist of the Year by the American Sport Art Museum & Archives (ASAMA) at the United States Sports University (USSU). Known for his signature “Exact Abstract” style, Henderson combines detailed portraiture, layered color and expressive paintwork to capture athletes in action while balancing precision with raw emotion.
“Murray Henderson’s work immediately captured our attention through its sense of controlled chaos, powerful movement and bold use of color,” said Angela Phillips, an ASAMA Art Board member. “His philosophy of building each piece ‘with precision and destroying it with emotion’ is vividly reflected in his work.”
Henderson will receive the award during USSU’s Awards of Sport ceremony on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at the university’s campus in Daphne. This event is open to the public from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“For much of my career, sport has been one of the great inspirations behind my work,” Henderson said. “I have always tried to go beyond simply portraying an athlete or a moment in competition. My goal has been to capture the emotion, movement, history, intensity and humanity behind sport—and to do it in a style that is uniquely my own.”
Based in Lakefield, Ontario, Henderson has spent more than 30 years creating work centered on sport, culture, identity and human achievement. Working in painting, drawing, ink, airbrush and mixed media, Henderson creates large-scale narrative portraits of athletes and cultural figures. Some of his works also incorporate authentic game-used or personally worn sports memorabilia, connecting the artwork directly to the athletes and moments depicted.
Henderson has expanded his practice through live painting and collaborations, including the DREAM Collection. During collaborative painting experiences, Henderson works with athletes and celebrities to capture their iconic moments using their own equipment to apply paint in varying techniques. Participating athletes have included former NBA player Ryan Anderson and NFL players Shaquem and Shaquill Griffin. Henderson’s work has also been presented at Miami Art Week, Fanatics Fest NYC and the National Sports Collectors Convention.
Presented for more than four decades, the Sport Artist of the Year Award recognizes artists whose work captures the spirit and life of sport. Previous recipients include Ernie Barnes, Kadir Nelson, Steve Skipper, Cristóbal Gabarrón and Steven Lester. As the 2026 recipient, Henderson will be featured in a yearlong exhibition at ASAMA on USSU’s campus, and one of his works will enter the museum’s permanent collection.
About Murray Henderson
Murray Henderson is a Canadian artist known for Exact Abstract, a fusion of realism and expressive abstraction. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has portrayed subjects from sport, music and popular culture while expanding traditional painting through mixed media and live painting.
Learn more at murrayhendersonart.com.
About the American Sport Art Museum & Archives
Located on the campus of United States Sports University in Daphne, Alabama, the American Sport Art Museum & Archives preserves and celebrates the cultural connection between athletic competition and artistic expression. Founded in 1984, ASAMA’s collection includes more than 1,800 works across multiple media, including paintings, sculptures, prints, posters and photography. Learn more at asama.org.
About United States Sports University
United States Sports University prepares students for careers in sport through undergraduate and graduate programs in areas including sports management, coaching, exercise science, sport leadership, sport psychology and business administration. Based in Daphne, Alabama, USSU has provided specialized sport education for more than five decades. Learn more at ussu.edu.
Media Contact:
Sophie Brooks
Director of Marketing & Communications, USSU
Interim Art Board Chair, ASAMA
[email protected]
251-626-3303, ext. 7243