The UVA athlete had a passion for the arts from a young age, including sketching and pottery. He took up studio art as a major in college, according to The Miami Herald.

“He’s one step closer,” Diara Zeigler, the program director for the South Dade Black History Center Advisory Board, said about Perry’s dream of being featured at Art Basel. “We’ll get him there.”

The Love-Art-Football Exhibit featured some of his work, which included animal and Greek mythology-inspired sculptures. Details about his life were also displayed, such as his UVA jersey and awards he had received for his art.

“We want to make sure people don’t forget his legacy because it’s easy to move on to other things,” former Miami-Dade Commissioner Dennis Moss told the news outlet. “He was such a shining star with so much potential that we wanted to make sure he was remembered.”

The South Dade Black History Center unveiled a new exhibit honoring D’Sean Perry! D’Sean was one of three University of Virginia football players who were shot and killed while returning from a school trip last year. His life will NEVER be forgotten — Rest In Power, D’Sean 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/enIWrfig1R

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) November 5, 2023

Zeigler remembers Perry as a “remarkable young man.”

“He had an infectious smile. He was loving. He was respectful, a very respectful young man,” she said. “Just a well-rounded young man.”

In December, Perry’s work will be on display alongside other artists during the Basel South Black Art Show. Zeigler fulfilled his parents’ request in honor of their son.

“Our platform here at the museum is for opportunities such as this: giving our artists in the South Dade community a voice,” she added. “So why not have his art in the show? We’re just happy that his parents wanted us to have it.”