By Rubin E. Grant
Artist Steve Skipper has received his share of recognition for his work, but his latest honor ranks near the top.
Skipper, a native of Homewood, has been named the United States Sports Academy’s 2023 Sport Artist of the Year “because of his fine attention to detail, super realistic style and inspirational story,” the organization announced.
Skipper will receive the award Nov. 9 on the USSA campus in Daphne at a special event beginning at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.
“This is official recognition as one of the best in the world, among the very best,” Skipper said. “Plus, I am the first African American in the state to receive the award and one of only three from Alabama.
“It is my distinct honor to accept this award. I’m not an ordinary artist. My knowledge and instruction comes directly from my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. There has never been or will never be a better source of teaching creativity than the creator himself.”
With no formal art training, Skipper’s inspirational story is one of an ex-gang member and drug addict who found hope and became an artist of international respect. He specializes in oils, pastels, acrylics and pencil mediums.
Skipper is the first African American artist to complete art pieces sanctioned by NASCAR, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, the Dallas Cowboys, the Green Bay Packers, the Professional Bull Riders Association and the Professional Golfers’ Association.
On Oct. 19, Skipper’s “Class Personified,” chronicling the career of Sylvester Croom, the first African American head football coach in the Southeastern Conference, was unveiled at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
“I think my painting will keep his legacy alive and inspire generations to come,” Skipper said.
Nancy Raia, USSA’s artist in residence, looks forward to adding some of Skipper’s work to the art collection at USSA as part of the American Sport Art Museum and Archives on campus. Several Skipper pieces will become part of the permanent collection at ASAMA.
“His art skill is amazing, and the scenes he captures are very moving and grab at your heart,” Raia said. “It makes you stop and consider all that went into making the piece. His thinking, his skill, his inspiration and grace that led him to this day are why I can’t wait to meet Steve Skipper and share his art with others.”
The United States Sports Academy is an independent, nonprofit, accredited, special mission sports university created to serve the nation and world with programs in instruction, research and service. The role of the academy is to prepare men and women for careers in sports.
Founded in 1984, ASAMA is dedicated to the preservation of sports art, history and literature. The ASAMA collection is composed of more than 1,800 works of sport art across a variety of media, including paintings, sculptures, assemblages, prints and photographs. The museum is open free to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. For more information, go to www.asama.org.
