‘A shining star.’ Slain UVA football player’s art work is celebrated at this Miami exhibit
One of the D’Sean Perry’s dreams was to have his work exhibited at Art Basel.
The Gulliver Prep grad and former University of Virginia football player was an artist, after all.
Tragically, Perry had his life cut short when a gunman opened fire Nov. 14, 2022 on UVA campus, killing him and two of his teammates, Lavel Davis Jr. and Devin Chandler, while injuring two more. And although Perry has yet to make it Basel, he now has an exhibit mere minutes away from the Richmond Heights neighborhood that raised him.
“He’s one step closer,” said Diara Zeigler, the program director for the South Dade Black History Center Advisory Board (SDBHCAB). “We’ll get him there.”
The Love-Art-Football Exhibit, which runs until Nov. 14 at the South Dade Black History Center, allows viewers to learn a bit more about Perry. Several of Perry’s art works, including a sketch of characters from “The Simpsons” and sculptures of an orca, lion head and a Greek mythology-inspired version of himself, are featured. Alson on display is the final UVA jersey that he wore and a handful of his awards, two of which recognized him for “Excellence in Ceramics Advanced” at Gulliver.
“We want to make sure people don’t forget his legacy because it’s easy to move on to other things,” said former Miami-Dade Commissioner Dennis Moss, who secured the funding to build the South Dade Black History Center during his time in office. Moss currently serves as advisory board chairman for the center. “He was such a shining star with so much potential that we wanted to make sure he was remembered.”
Perry’s love of art began to blossom at a young age. He filled sketchbooks as a child, then he delved into pottery in high school. By the time Perry got to UVA, his love for the arts was cemented; he chose studio art as his major.
“I noticed as a child that that was his way of expressing himself,” D’Sean’s mother Happy Whitehead-Perry told WPLG Local 10 in May 2023. “He wanted sketchbooks and art materials and went on from there.”
One of the more touching parts of the exhibit, however, had nothing to do with art. It was a framed display that contained two pictures, a hand-written letter and a navy blue UVA glove. The letter came courtesy of Cole Pratt, a young fan to whom Perry had gifted his gloves after UVA’s game against Georgia Tech. When Pratt heard of Perry’s passing, he sent one of the glove and the letter to the Richmond Heights native’s parents.
“Those gloves were the best birthday present the I could have ever asked for,” Pratt wrote. “So I wanted to give you one of his gloves. I really want you to have it. I have his other one so we can remember him forever.”
Moments like that reveal a more tender side to Perry, whose was just 22 at the time of his death.
“He was such a remarkable young man,” said Zeigler, who knew Perry. “He had an infectious smile. He was loving. He was respectful, a very respectful young man. Just a well-rounded young man.”
That’s part of the reason why Zeigler is committed to fulfilling Perry’s dream. When the Basel South Black Art Show opens at the South Dade Black History Center in December, Perry’s work will be on display alongside other local artists, a request from his parents that Zeigler was more than happy to honor.
“Our platform here at the museum is for opportunities such as this: giving our artists in the South Dade community a voice,” Zeigler said. “So why not have his art in the show? We’re just happy that his parents wanted us to have it.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: The Love-Art-Football Exhibit
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday until Nov.14
WHERE: South Dade Black History Center, Larcenia J. Bullard Plaza, 14508 Lincoln Blvd., Miami
PRICE: Free
This story was originally published November 8, 2023 at 4:30 AM.
