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Home Press $12 Million Gift To Muskegon Museum of Art Boosts Michigan’s Status in Promoting Art by Women

$12 Million Gift To Muskegon Museum of Art Boosts Michigan’s Status in Promoting Art by Women

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The Muskegon Museum of Art will soon be home to one of the only museums in the world to have a permanent space dedicated solely to the work of women artists, thanks to gifts totaling $12 million from two of the country’s leading art collectors.

More than 150 works of art – painted by women in the figurative realist style – have been given to the Muskegon Museum of Art by art collectors and champions of gender equality, Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt. Their donation also includes a $1.5 million cash gift towards the highly anticipated and much-needed museum expansion that will more than double the size of the museum, adding three new rotating galleries, two classrooms, rooftop terrace, museum store, connecting and support space and a public plaza.

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Steven Alan Bennett & Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt:

Katie O’Hagan (born 1972), “Portrait of the Collectors, Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt and Steven Alan Bennett” oil on canvas, 78” x 58” 2016

Architectural Renderings:

The Bennett Collection, Donated Artworks:

Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653) “Self-Portrait as Clio, the Goddess of History” oil on canvas 22” x 20” ca. 1640
Agnes Martin (1912-2004), “Portrait of Daphne Vaughn” encaustic on canvas, 20” x 16” ca. 1948
Alyssa Monks (born 1977), “Elpis” oil on linen, 68” x 86” 2018
Andrea Kowch (born 1986), “Dream Chaser” acrylic on canvas, 60” x 48” 2013
Andrea Kowch (born 1986), “The Courtiers” acrylic on canvas, 36” x 60” 2015
Andrea Kowch (born 1986), “The Visitors” acrylic on canvas, 48” x 60” 2011
Ann Tanksley (born 1934), “Smothering Mother” oil on canvas, 29” x 36” 1971
Anna Wypych (born 1986), “Blue” oil on icon panel, 28” x 20” 2015
Harmonia Rosales (born 1984), “The Annunciation” oil on linen, 42” x 52” 2018
Elaine de Kooning (1918-1989), “Nude with Jelly Beans” oil on linen, 48” x 72” 1961
Ayana Ross (born 1977), “SWBAT: Learn” oil on wood, 36” x 48” 2020
Margaret Bowland (born 1953), “2020” oil on canvas, 72” x 60” 2017
Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), “Portrait of Madame Sisley” oil on board, 7” x 5” 1873
Mika Shinagawa (born 1988), “Polyphony” acrylic on canvas, 27” x 64” 2017
Montserrat Gudiol (1933-2015), “Mujer en Rojo” (“Woman in Red”) oil on panel, 34” x 30” 1971
Rachel Moseley (born 1985) “Double Bubble” oil on canvas on board, 24” x 18” 2015
Roberta Coni (born 1976), “Sofia 1” oil on canvas, 80” x 64” 2016
Sarah Miriam Peale (1800-1885), “Mother and Child” oil on canvas, 49” x 39” ca. 1848
Sylvia Sleigh (1916-2010), “Portrait of Elaine Dufour” oil on canvas, 25” x 19” 1979
Xenia Hausner (born 1951), “vor dem Leben” (“Before Life”) acrylic on paper on dibond, 51” x 63” 2017
Zoey Frank (born 1987) “Parade” oil on canvas, 126” x 78” 2015
SuSu, “Empty Vessel III” oil on canvas, 36” x 36” 2021
Julie Bell, “Pegasus Befriends the Muses” oil on wood panel, 48” x 60” 2018

The Bennett Collection: Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt established The Bennett Collection of Women Realists® in 2009. The two collectors limit their collection to figurative realist paintings of women by women artists. The Collection includes work by some of the most exciting women painters currently working: Julie Bell, Margaret Bowland, Aleah Chapin, Aneka Ingold, Andrea Kowch, Alyssa Monks, Katie O’Hagan, Mary Cassatt and dozens of others on the cutting edge of figurative realism. In addition, the Collection includes historic women painters from across the generations, including Gertrude Abercrombie, Artemisia Gentileschi, Elaine de Kooning, and many others. More information at www.thebennettartcollection.com

The Muskegon Museum of Art: The Muskegon Museum of Art is renowned for its fine permanent collection of American and European paintings, sculpture, prints, and drawings. The museum also features many rotating exhibitions throughout the year, ranging from exhilarating nationally traveling exhibitions to contemporary regional and Michigan artist shows. Educational programs, such as lectures, films, workshops, classes, and gallery tours have been key to the mission of the Muskegon Museum of Art since its founding in 1912. More information at www.muskegonartmuseum.org

Lead Design Firm: Ann Beha Architects, Boston, MA
Collaborating Design Firm: Mathison | Mathison Architects, Grand Rapids, MI
Owner’s Representative: Construction Simplified, Grand Rapids, MI

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