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First-of-its-kind
prize aims to propel careers of women artists
$50,000 Bennett
Prize recognizes women figurative realist painters
PITTSBURGH, Pa. –
The Bennett Prize, the largest ever offered solely to women
painters, was announced today by art collectors Steven Alan
Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt, who are endowing the
$50,000 biennial prize at The Pittsburgh Foundation.
The Prize will spotlight women artists who paint in the
figurative realist style, and who have not yet reached full
professional recognition - both new artists and those who have
painted for many years. It will allow the winner to create her
own solo exhibition of figurative realist paintings, which will
first be shown at the Muskegon (Michigan) Museum of Art and then
travel the country. The Prize is designed for women artists who
are, or seek to become, full-time professional painters.
The Bennett Prize also aims to expand opportunities for the
public to learn more about the creative vision of talented women
painters in the increasingly popular style of figurative
realism.
“We are excited to announce The Bennett Prize at a time when
women are creating important figurative realist paintings that
should be seen by a wider audience,” Bennett said. “Figurative
realist painting features the human form in all of its
diversity. It has an important role to play in a society
struggling to understand human differences and commonalities,
including race, gender and social status.”
Bennett and Schmidt, of San Antonio, Texas, have endowed a $3
million fund at The Pittsburgh Foundation to ensure that The
Prize will be awarded every two years in perpetuity. The
Bennetts were referred to The Pittsburgh Foundation,
specifically to the Foundation’s Center for Philanthropy, where
donors, staff and community experts develop innovative new
projects.
“The Bennett Prize is a perfect example of how community
foundations can help philanthropists take an idea from
incubation to reality,” said Foundation President & CEO Maxwell
King. “Steven and Elaine were familiar with our history of
funding individual artists, particularly those whose work and
unique points of view might otherwise be overlooked. By endowing
The Prize at The Pittsburgh Foundation, the Bennetts have
created a permanent mechanism for supporting and elevating the
work of women painters.”
A four-member jury, including renowned realist artists Maria
Tomasula and Andrea Kowch, will select 10 painters from among
the entrants. The 10 finalists will each receive $1,000 to
participate in an exhibition opening May 2, 2019 at the Muskegon
Museum of Art where the winner will be announced.
“The
beauty of this prize is in the extended significance of its
effects: not only will it recognize recipients’ past
achievement, it will also help foster their future
accomplishment,” said artist and juror Maria Tomasula, “I know
how important both of these things are to the life of an
artist.”
The Bennetts, along with The Pittsburgh Foundation, consider the
Muskegon Museum of Art one of the great hidden gems among
American museums. It was chosen as the inaugural venue for The
Bennett Prize due it its commitment to both women and realism,
as evidenced by the art on its walls and the exhibitions it
sponsors.
"The Muskegon Museum of Art has built a reputation over the past
decade for redefining what a small city art museum can
accomplish,” said Kirk Hallman, executive director of the
museum. “Serving as inaugural host of The Bennett Prize is a
wonderful opportunity for the museum to continue showcasing
innovative programs."
The winner will receive $25,000 annually for two years, so she
can devote the time necessary to mount a solo exhibition, which
will open in Muskegon in 2021 and then travel the country.
Andrea Kowch, artist and juror shared, “I know firsthand the
amount of diligence, passion, and perseverance it takes to
become a successful artist when there are no additional
opportunities available to further support one's efforts. A
prize such as this will prove to be a game changer for many, and
I am honored to be part of the Prize's inaugural debut.”
The call for entries runs from April 13 - Sept.
28, 2018. Full details are available here: www.thebennettprize.org
The Bennett Prize is not open to hobbyists, students or artists
who have been paid, or received an award of $25,000 or more for
any single work of art.
Bennett and Schmidt are among the country’s top collectors of
figurative realist art and are committed to seeing that talented
women painters receive long overdue recognition for their superb
artistry.
“We want to showcase the work of talented women figurative
painters and enable them to take their rightful place among the
most celebrated painters working today,” Schmidt said. “We’ll
know we have succeeded when there are as many paintings by women
as men in museums, commanding the same prices and critical
esteem.”
For more information visit: www.thebennettprize.org
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