RISING STARS
Patrons of the arts and founders of the Bennett Prize, Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt.
Over 800 artists competed for this year's iteration of the Bennett Prize—the $50,000 biennial award for women painters of figurative realism. An all-female jury was tasked with whittling down the applicants to 10 finalists who met the criteria of technical skill, and the ability to make a statement or evoke emotion. The honors went to Olivia Chigas, Nimah Gobir, Ambrin Ling, Jane Philips, Audrey Rodriguez, Abbey Rosko, Nicole M. Santiago, Amy Werntz, Helena Wurzel and Rei Xiao.
Established by art collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt in 2018, and now in its fourth cycle, the prize is designed to propel the careers of women artists and help them reach their full creative potential. “As in the prior three cycles, we’ve been very fortunate to have a diverse group of artists enter the competition,” says Schmidt. “The work is never predictable [and] we continue to be struck by the extent to which changes in society are reflected in the work. Our society’s cultural values and experiences continue to change at a rapid pace. This group of finalists adeptly captured our new world in powerful ways that creatively impact the viewer. Figures are just the starting point for scenarios and depictions that reflect the developments in our society. In this sense, figuration is a mechanism or a tool and not an end in itself.”
The winner of the Bennett Prize (and the recipient of an additional $10,000 award) will be announced on May 15 at Michigan’s Muskegon Museum of Art, where the finalists’ works will remain on view through August 24 before embarking on a national tour.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 2025-Ausgabe von American Art Collector.
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Peter Swift
Artist Peter Swift's goal is to create laconic, resonant symmetries that have a universal appeal. He starts with simple objects that we use every day, but we rarely even notice. For example, a carrot.
All That Jazz
Biographies of Lance Myers reveal that he has been a professional artist, writer and animator for 25 years, with his animation appearing in feature films like Space Jam, Anastasia, Quest for Camelot, Prince of Egypt and Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly. He has published essays, and has written and directed short subject films for HBO, MTV, Adult Swim and PBS.
California Treasures
Pageant of the Masters breathes life into the artwork of the Golden State past and present.
The CALL of the SEA
From Robert Henri to Jasper Francis Cropsey to the iconic maritime scenes of Winslow Homer, artists have been captivated by marine and coastal subject matter for centuries.
Lightness of Being
On June 1, RJD Gallery will present a new solo show titled Daniela Werneck and the Lightness of Being featuring the work of Werneck, a Brazilian painter who is now based in Texas.
The Majesty
In roughly 15 new pieces, Jenna Von Benedikt showcases the wildlife subject matter she's most known for, depicted alongside abstracted elements.
HUMBLE
A new series of paintings and drawings by William Beckman depict American landscapes that appear infinite with meaning and effect.
PIGMENT with ABANDON
The highly-pigmented medium known as pastel is known for its vibrancy as well as its tactile application, as it allows an artist to draw, smudge and brush with the hand itself.
THE GREAT LAKES REGION
The Great Lakes Region refers to the area around Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, whose surfaces total 95,000 square miles to form the largest surface freshwater system on Earth.
An Elegant Dance
Garip was the Grand Prize Winner in International Artist magazine's Challenge No. 144 Seascapes, Rivers & Lakes.
