LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style

LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style
August 31–November 21, 2026

LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) was best known for his brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings and screenprints of athletes, musicians, and sporting events. LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style focuses on his early work as a fashion illustrator and how it informed his ongoing interest in capturing the clothing, gesture, and style of his subjects. Featuring 80 drawings and paintings from the collection of the LeRoy and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation, the exhibition spans Neiman’s work from the 1950s through 2000. Neiman was always accompanied by his sketchbook, and his art reflects his curiosity and powers of observation. LeRoy Neiman attended SAIC from 1946 to 1950 and taught figure drawing and fashion illustration at SAIC for the following decade. He received an honorary degree in 2006.

LeRoy Neiman: A Keen Observer of Style was originally curated by Sara Hume, PhD, for the Kent State University Museum. The exhibition was made possible through a partnership with the LeRoy and Janet Byrne Neiman Foundation. Exhibition programs at SAIC are made possible through the generous support of BLICK Art Materials. SAIC also acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council and the Statsinger Cohen Foundation.