The opening of the Bennett Schmidt Pavilion on the Muskegon Museum of Artwork (MMA) has virtually doubled the dimensions of the century-old Midwestern artwork establishment. The brand new growth is called for Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt of San Antonio, two of the US’s main collectors of figurative realist work, who donated $12 million in artworks and money to assist create the brand new house and show works by girls artists. Fewer than 5 museums on the earth dedicate house solely to the work of ladies artists.
Bennett and Schmidt donated greater than 150 work by girls artists to the MMA. The inaugural exhibition within the Bennett Schmidt Pavilion, Transcending Custom: Collection of Works from The Bennett Assortment of Ladies Realists, options a few of these works. It’s now open and can run via Could 11.
Su Su, “Empty Vessel III” (2021), oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches
Bennett and Schmidt have collected figurative realist work by girls artists since 2009, creating The Bennett Assortment, and in 2018 they established The Bennett Prize — a $50,000 biennial award designed to propel the careers of ladies painters who haven’t but realized full skilled recognition. It’s the largest artwork award supplied solely to girls painters. The prize is at present in its fourth cycle. Ten finalists have been named and the winner shall be introduced on the MMA on Could 15.
Work donated from The Bennett Assortment embrace works by greater than 115 artists, together with Artemisia Gentileschi, Mary Cassatt, Agnes Martin, Elaine de Kooning, Harmonia Rosales, Julie Bell, Andrea Kowch, Katie O’Hagan and plenty of different up to date and historic girls figurative realist painters. A variety of these donated work are featured within the Transcending Custom exhibition.
Zoey Frank, “Parade” (2015), oil on canvas, 78 x 126 inches
“This opening of the Bennett Schmidt Pavilion marks the start of a new MMA,” stated MMA Government Director Kirk Hallman. “Steven and Elaine’s vision is one shared by the MMA. The Bennett-Schmidt gift is a call to action institutionally, encouraging both the Muskegon Museum of Art and other museums to continually expand opportunities for women artists.”
“The artwork in Transcending Tradition catapults the MMA into the forefront of progressive museums that recognize the primacy and power of the work of women painters,” stated Bennett. “What has been an exceptionally good collection at the MMA is now augmented with many powerful works by women that span the generations.”
To study extra, go to muskegonartmuseum.org.
Muskegon Museum of Artwork Architectural Rendering