$12 Million Gift To Muskegon Museum of Art Boosts Michigan’s Status in Promoting Art by Women
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.
Press Releases
Steven Alan Bennett & Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt:
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- 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:
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- Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1653) “Self-Portrait as Clio, the Goddess of History” oil on canvas 22” x 20” ca. 1640
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- Agnes Martin (1912-2004), “Portrait of Daphne Vaughn” encaustic on canvas, 20” x 16” ca. 1948
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- Alyssa Monks (born 1977), “Elpis” oil on linen, 68” x 86” 2018
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- Andrea Kowch (born 1986), “Dream Chaser” acrylic on canvas, 60” x 48” 2013
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- Andrea Kowch (born 1986), “The Courtiers” acrylic on canvas, 36” x 60” 2015
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- Andrea Kowch (born 1986), “The Visitors” acrylic on canvas, 48” x 60” 2011
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- Ann Tanksley (born 1934), “Smothering Mother” oil on canvas, 29” x 36” 1971
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- Anna Wypych (born 1986), “Blue” oil on icon panel, 28” x 20” 2015
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- Harmonia Rosales (born 1984), “The Annunciation” oil on linen, 42” x 52” 2018
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- Elaine de Kooning (1918-1989), “Nude with Jelly Beans” oil on linen, 48” x 72” 1961
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- Ayana Ross (born 1977), “SWBAT: Learn” oil on wood, 36” x 48” 2020
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- Margaret Bowland (born 1953), “2020” oil on canvas, 72” x 60” 2017
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- Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), “Portrait of Madame Sisley” oil on board, 7” x 5” 1873
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- Mika Shinagawa (born 1988), “Polyphony” acrylic on canvas, 27” x 64” 2017
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- Montserrat Gudiol (1933-2015), “Mujer en Rojo” (“Woman in Red”) oil on panel, 34” x 30” 1971
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- Rachel Moseley (born 1985) “Double Bubble” oil on canvas on board, 24” x 18” 2015
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- Roberta Coni (born 1976), “Sofia 1” oil on canvas, 80” x 64” 2016
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- Sarah Miriam Peale (1800-1885), “Mother and Child” oil on canvas, 49” x 39” ca. 1848
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- Sylvia Sleigh (1916-2010), “Portrait of Elaine Dufour” oil on canvas, 25” x 19” 1979
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- Xenia Hausner (born 1951), “vor dem Leben” (“Before Life”) acrylic on paper on dibond, 51” x 63” 2017
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- Zoey Frank (born 1987) “Parade” oil on canvas, 126” x 78” 2015
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- SuSu, “Empty Vessel III” oil on canvas, 36” x 36” 2021
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- 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