Steve R. Allen
Steve R. Allen is an artist recognized internationally for his bold use of color and ability to create in myriad styles. He has traveled extensively internationally with his work. His work hangs in world capitols and many prestigious art collections from Athens, Greece to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Beijing, China.
Steve’s talent was first showcased before a world audience when he was commissioned to create “Uniting Colors of the World”, a mammoth eighty feet by twenty-eight feet mural, as the City of Atlanta’s “Official” commemoration of its hosting the 1996 Centennial Olympic Summer Games. In the entire world he holds the singular honor & distinction of being “Official Artist” for the Host City of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Summer Games.
In 2013 Steve has been honored in a manner few artists have been in their lifetime or posthumously. The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture has acquired four (4) of Steve’s paintings as part of its Founding and Permanent Collection. This honor recognizes his work for its artistic and scholastic merit as well as its historical significance.
The year of 2013 continues to expand the scope of Steve’s work. He has become involved with the Crown Jewel of Historically Black College & Universities football Classic, the 40th Anniversary Bayou Classic. The Bayou Classic is contested each year between Grambling State University and Southern University, Baton Rouge in New Orleans, LA during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend. Steve is creating the “Look of the Game” images that will elevate the marketing efforts of the Bayou Classic to heights never before reached.
Steve was honored to have his work displayed in London during the 2012 London Olympic Summer Games. His work was featured as part of the Art of the Olympians exhibition at the University College of London. He also created artwork live at the ANOCA Africa Village in Kensington Garden during the Games.
In the Fall of 2010 Steve was honored by the Government of Brazil with an invitation to Rio de Janeiro to participate in the celebration of Zumbi dos Palmeras, a great hero in the liberation of Brazilian slaves, and as Guest of Honor for Black Consciousness Week. He presented his painting “O Jogo Bonito” (The Beautiful Game) to the Nation of Brazil in celebration of the 2014 World Cup. The original painting is permanently displayed at the Ministry of Education in Rio de Janeiro.
He presented a gicleé of the painting “O Jogo Bonito” to the Brazilian Consulate in Atlanta in April of 2012 and Governor Jacque Wagner of Bahia, Brazil in May of 2012 during an official visit to the USA.
Also in 2010 his work was displayed in the San Diego International Airport, in partnership with the United States Olympic Committee and San Diego County, CA, as part of its official participation in the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
Jun Wang Fu Palace in Beijing. The signature painting of the exhibition, “A Bridge of Friendship” was presented to the People of China during a handover ceremony on August 28, 2008.
In 2007 Steve created & presented the painting “Celebration of Sport Brazil” to the people of Brazil on the occasion of the Rio2007 Pan American Games. The painting is on permanent display at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium, site of the final match of the 2014 Soccer World Cup and Opening & Closing Ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
In 2005 Steve created the painting “Olympiqué” as Official poster art for Team USA for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. His creation ” Olympian Legacy” was also unveiled and presented during the 2006 Olympic Winter Games at the VISA Olympian Reunion Center.
He created the painting “Coming Full Circle” (Return to Athens) that was designated “Official” artwork for the 2004 Athens Olympic Summer Games. Steve created the painting “Unity and Peace Through Sport” as an “Official” gift from the State of California, host of the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympic Games, to Athens, Greece. The painting was presented to Mayor Bakoyannis and the City of Athens, Greece and hangs in Athens City Hall. Steve’s painting “Atlanta 1996 to Athens 2004” was unveiled by HSH Prince
Albert II of Monaco & was displayed for the duration of the Olympic Games at the VISA Olympian Reunion Center.
Steve became involved once again with the Olympic Movement when he was commissioned by the United States Olympic Committee to create “Spirit of the Games” as its “Official” commemorative of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games. The painting was presented during the Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Of the painting, the USOC wrote “You can be proud that your art reflects a pictorial history of the most successful Winter Olympiad ever for the United States.” The painting is on permanent display at USOC headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO.
Steve traveled to Sydney, Australia to present “On to Sydney” during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Summer Games to Lord Mayor Frank Sartor and the people of Sydney on behalf of Atlanta and the United States. He created “Olympic Zeal” and presented the artwork to the Federated States of Micronesia on behalf of US Ambassador Diane E. Watson and the United States.
In 1999 Steve was commissioned to create “The Legend” for Henry “Hank” Aaron’s Chasing the Dream Foundation’s 25th Anniversary celebration of Home Run 715 which established the all time Major League Baseball home run record. The painting hangs as part of the Henry Aaron permanent exhibit in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
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