NBA legend Elliot Perry and philanthropist Jessica Nowitzki at the NBA Foundation’s inaugural Sports & Arts Symposium.
The NBA Foundation hosted its inaugural Sports & Arts Symposium and Gallery Exhibition Sept. 9-10 in Phoenix, bringing together athletes, artists, creators and leaders from sports, culture, philanthropy and business as the city prepares to host NBA All-Star 2027.
In partnership with the Arizona State University Art Museum, the Symposium centered on the work of NHL player Jacob Trouba and renowned artist William Wegman. Trouba uses his hockey equipment and movement to create body-print artwork, turning the physicality of the sport into something visual. Wegman then reimagined Trouba’s pieces through his own artistic style, bringing together two artists with very different backgrounds and creative approaches.
The program brought together voices from across sports and the arts, including NBA legend and art collector Elliot Perry, art collector and philanthropist Jessica Nowitzki, NBA Foundation Executive Director Ruth Jurgensen, NHL Senior Executive Vice President Kim Davis, NBA legend and photographer CJ Miles and author and professor Mitchell S. Jackson. Conversations explored collecting and philanthropy, the creator economy, creative career pathways and the role of art in sports and culture.
Trouba and Wegman also took part in a public conversation about their experimental collaboration, exploring how their different paths brought them to the project.
NHL player Jacob Trouba and artist William Wegman discuss their collaboration.
The event concluded with the opening reception for Cross Check: Jacob Trouba and William Wegman at the ASU Art Museum, where guests could experience the new collaborative work firsthand.
Guests view the collaborative work of Jacob Trouba and William Wegman at the ASU Art Museum.
The exhibition will remain on view at the ASU Art Museum through January 2027.
