Bird portrait completed for IUPUI’s sport art museum

By Ann Rein

The National Art Museum of Sport was founded in 1959 and houses the nation’s largest collection of art depicting sport.

The painting, by Indianapolis artist Doug Daniel, was delivered earlier this summer. Daniel also was recently commissioned to paint a portrait of Gerald Bepko, the emeritus chancellor of IUPUI who has served as the university’s interim president since January and will relinquish the title when Adam Herbert officially begins his presidency Aug. 1.

Daniel created a background of Bird’s achievements in high school, at Indiana State College, at the Olympics as a member of the 1992 Dream Team, and during the NBA Championships as a Celtic. The foreground portrait depicts Bird as the mature coach of the Indiana Pacers. The artist sought to capture the intensity that has made Bird a success on the floor and as a coach.

Daniel, who spent his childhood in Terre Haute and is a graduate of the Herron School of Art at IUPUI, was chosen for the commission after a national call for proposals by the museum. Among Daniel's other commissioned works are portraits of Richard Landini, eighth president of Indiana State University; and Eugene Habecker, former president of Huntington College. Daniel also has completed works for Riley Hospital and the IU Medical Center.

The National Art Museum of Sport, founded in 1959, houses the nation's largest collection of art depicting sport and is open to the public free of charge Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum receives support from the Arts Council of Indianapolis, the City of Indianapolis and the Indiana Arts Commission. The Bird portrait was made possible by a challenge grant from the CINergy Foundation.