Art collectors Steven Bennett and Elaine Melotti Schmidt created the first-ever prize for women figurative artists. After 647 entrants, we are pleased to announce the 10 finalists
The March 2017 issue of American Art Collector featured an extensive, multipage article on the Texas home of collectors Steven Bennett and Elaine Melotti Schmidt. The collection—which included many paintings that had appeared on the pages of this magazine—focused on paintings of women by women figurative artists such as Andrea Kowch, Katie O’Hagan, Zoey Frank, Anna Wypych, Suzanne Anan, Candice Bohannon and Pamela Wilson.
This past April, Bennett and Schmidt announced The Bennett Prize for women figurative realist painters. The two decided that the prize would be $50,000 to fund an exhibition that would then tour the country. The amount stems from the idea that the two wanted to fund an artist in a way that would allow the winner to spend one year entirely focused on creating artwork.
“In our discussions with women artists, we could sense the genuine struggle presented by making a living, raising a family and trying to paint, all at the same time,” says Schmidt. “Our worry was that all this juggling, when combined with working in obscurity, might invite some women to quit too soon.”
In six months, Bennett and Schmidt saw almost 650 women from 45 different states across the country apply for the prize. In mid-November, the 10 finalists were announced. The finalists are: Dorielle Caimi, Jennifer Campbell, Kira Nam Greene, Mary Henderson, Aneka Ingold, Stefanie Jackson, Daniela KovaÄić, Rebecca Leveille, Jenny Morgan and Carrie Pearce.
The winner, who will be announced in May 2019, will receive $25,000 annually for two years to allow her to devote the time necessary to mount a solo exhibition of figurative realist paintings, which will open at Muskegon Museum of Art in 2021 and then travel the country.
Bennett and Schmidt also endowed a $3 million fund at the Pittsburgh Foundation to ensure The Prize will be awarded every two years in perpetuity.
Denne historien er fra January 2019-utgaven av American Art Collector.
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Denne historien er fra January 2019-utgaven av American Art Collector.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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FULL EXPOSURE
Photographer Conor Martin documents the present using photographic methods of the past.
Autumnal Light
The landscapes and nature scenes of painter Jennifer Sowders are irresistibly tactile, filled with varying textures that seem to leap off the canvas.
Art for All
Members of Art Dealers Association of America come together for a philanthropic affair.
Modern Marketplace
Redwood Art Group brings together the San Diego region for another class-act celebration of contemporary artwork.
An Enchanting Evening
Scottsdale Artists’ School knows how to throw an art party.
Timeless Tales
Soft, warm undertones underscore the mood of enchantment that runs through Nom Kinnear King’s paintings.
Next Exit New York
Coming off his series that focused on San Francisco and Los Angeles freeway signs, artist Eric Nash’s sights are now set on New York. Now on view at George Billis Gallery's Manhattan location are seven of Nash's new oil paintings and two drawings that explore the signage of New York City freeways. Although Nash's work is tightly rendered, he doesn’t consider himself a photorealist, but rather someone who utilizes those techniques to express ideas.
Monster Mash
Vampires, witches, ghouls and all things that go bump in the night are the theme of the exhibition Monster Mash, now at Abend Gallery.
Inside/Outside
Those familiar with Geoffrey Johnson's populated by inky figures and trailing shadows that bleed into the wet streets, and architectural elements obscured to varying degrees by the misty atmosphere.
Bold Figures; Bold Color
For Brooklyn based painter J Louis, it’s all about balance, which can mean many different things in a composition, but for Louis, it’s about balancing his female figures among a unique landscape of color.
