A Vibrant Celebration of Community, Artistry, History, and the Sporting Art Lifestyle

Join us at Leland Little for the 5th Annual Sporting Art Fair on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Set across the gallery and scenic grounds of Leland Little, this beloved community event is brought to life by partners who are deeply passionate about the world of sporting art. Explore stunning exhibitions, enjoy live demonstrations, savor delicious food, participate in hands-on activities for all ages, and soak up a day packed with art, fun, and inspiration. The Sporting Art Fair is for everyone!

Featured Artist
Born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1958, John Beerman studied at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and earned his BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design. A 2008 New York Times article describes Beerman as a modern transcendentalist painter and quotes the artist as seeing himself "in the tradition of the Luminist offshoots of the Hudson River School" (Susan Dominus, "Linked to the Hudson, by Love, Art and History," New York Times, 2008). Beerman goes on to explain that he particularly resonates with the Hudson River School artists' stillness, their subtle and non-painterly brushwork, their broad skies, and the contemplative nature of their paintings.

After living in New York for more than twenty-six years and acquiring a strong following there, Beerman returned to the South and now resides and practices in Hillsborough, North Carolina. Beerman's work is represented in major museums such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and others.

Featured Carver
Casey Arthur is a North Carolina–based decoy carver who is deeply influenced by the early Stacy school decoy makers such as Mitchell Fulcher and Andrew Mason. Drawing inspiration from the rich decoy-carving heritage of the Carolinas, Casey’s work emphasizes accurate anatomy, natural posture, and traditional paint patterns that reflect the character of live birds.

Working primarily in wood, Casey creates decorative and gunning-style decoys that honor classic Eastern carving traditions while maintaining an individual artistic voice. Each piece is carefully hand-carved and painted, with close attention paid to balance, flow, and realism. Through dedication to craft and respect for the history of decoy carving, Casey Arthur continues to contribute to North Carolina’s long-standing waterfowl art tradition.