"Mr. Holland's work captures the essence of what sport is all about," said Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, president of the United States Sports Academy. "He does beautiful work and displays incredible talent through his work in several media."

Holland caps off an amazing first decade in the Academy's celebration of "The Artist and the Athlete."

He joins some of the greatest sport artists of all time in winning the prestigious award. Past winners have included Ernie Barnes, Don Moss, Bart Forbes, Shella Wolk, Hans Ernie, Blair Buswell, James Ridion, Bernie Fuchs, and Cristobal Gabarron."
The board of advisors of the American Sport Art Museum and Archives include Walter Payton, Arnold Palmer, Frank Deford and others.

Members of the executive committee include Rosandich; Sheldon Morgan; Mayor James Nix of Fairhope; Albert R. St. Clair; Philip Hunt; and Fran Niccolai.

The decision to name Holland as The Sport Artist of the Year was made at the September 1993 meeting of the executive committee and reflects a commitment to honoring the world's finest sport artists.

Holland began to develop his talent at a very early age, almost from the time he could hold a pencil, according to his mother. As a child he wore a steel brace on his leg and couldn’t participate in many activities.

As a result, he experienced heightened sensitivity and a talent for sketching his friends as they participated in sport and other activities.

He attended the High School of Art and Design in New York City, where up to half of each day was devoted to the study and practice of art. Following high school graduation, he attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, the Art Students League, and the School of Visual Arts.

As a young artist, Holland couldn’t afford to use live models, so he used the photographs from boxing magazines. In reading the articles in the magazines, he came to implement the same discipline, devotion, and determination in his work that he saw in the articles about famous athletes.
Now living in Santa Barbara, Calif., with his wife J'Nelle, Holland is the official artist for the Los Angeles Kings. He was also recently commissioned by Nike to create a series of "Wearable Art" designs featuring Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and others.

He was also the official artist for the 25th Anniversary Victor Awards program in 1990, and created the print which was used for Muhammad Ali's 50th birthday celebration.
His work has been featured in dozens of exhibits throughout the country and he is included in numerous corporate collections.

Holland will attend the Academy's Awards of Sport program Jan. 20, 1994, in Daphne where an exhibition of his work will be featured during the program.

Stephen Holland has been named 1993 Sport Artist of the Year by the American Sport Art Museum and Archives in Daphne.