United States Sports University holds sports artist of the year event

DAPHNE, Ala. (WALA) - The United States Sports University honored Canadian artist Murray Henderson as its 2026 sports artist of the year during a ceremony on the Eastern Shore.

Henderson, who is based in Lakefield, Ontario, has spent more than 30 years creating art. His work centers on sports, culture, identity and human achievement.

“It’s an incredible honor because not only have I been doing this my whole life but to be honored and to be respected as a sports artist is very hard, it’s a niche market but it’s an incredible honor for me,” he said. “Being Canadian as well, I’m the first Canadian to win it so that’s pretty excited”

‘Exact abstract’ style

Henderson’s style is known as “exact abstract,” which he said began when he accidentally spilled paint on a work.

“Basically I used to do photo realism and it was a mistake actually, what happened is I spilled paint on one and my friend said he’d buy that because the splatters and everything gave it energy,” Henderson said.

“I will do the faces as close as I can do to realism and then the rest I just stand back and let it go,” he said.

Henderson said he was honored to be recognized as a sports artist and said he is the first Canadian to receive the award.

The reception and ceremony also celebrated the opening of his yearlong exhibition at the museum. The exhibition is open to the public.