A Commitment to Women in Art
The expansion of the MMA, which opened on February 6, 2025, includes dedicated gallery spaces for women artists — a stipulation made by Bennett and Schmidt to ensure that female painters have a lasting presence in the museum’s exhibitions. The exhibition, which will run through May 11, marks the first time that the Bennett Collection of Women Figurative Realists is being shown publicly in its entirety. By highlighting figurative realism — a genre that has historically been underappreciated and underrepresented in major art institutions — the exhibition provides an overdue platform for some of the most skilled contemporary painters working today.
"This opening of the Bennett Schmidt Pavilion marks the start of a new MMA," said MMA Executive Director Kirk Hallman. "Steven and Elaine's vision is one shared by the MMA. The Bennett-Schmidt gift is a call to action institutionally, encouraging both the Muskegon Museum of Art and other museums to continually expand opportunities for women artists."
Bennett and Schmidt’s collection, which began in 2009, is rooted in their desire to shine a light on women artists who are often overlooked in favor of their male counterparts. Despite their undeniable talent, many women painters still struggle to gain the recognition, financial compensation, and exhibition opportunities afforded to men in the industry.
The Bennett Collection aims to rectify this imbalance by promoting and preserving figurative realist works created by women, such as Artemesia Gentileschi, Mary Cassatt, Elaine de Kooning, Andrea Kowch, Zoey Frank, Katie O’Hagan, Su Su, Agnes Martin, Harmonia Rosales, Julie Bell, and others, while also inspiring a revival of interest in this powerful artistic tradition.
"The artwork in Transcending Tradition catapults the MMA into the forefront of progressive museums that recognize the primacy and power of the work of women painters," said Bennett. "What has been an exceptionally good collection at the MMA is now augmented with many powerful works by women that span the generations."
The Bennett Prize and the Future of Women Figurative Realists
As part of their commitment to supporting women artists, Bennett and Schmidt also founded The Bennett Prize, a juried art competition that awards the largest monetary prize for women figurative realist painters in the world. The prize, which grants $50,000 and a solo show to its winner, is designed to elevate the careers of female painters who have dedicated themselves to figurative realism but lack widespread institutional support.
The upcoming Bennett Prize 4.0 exhibition will feature the ten finalists, with the winner announced on May 15. The winning artist’s work will debut at the MMA before embarking on a nationwide tour, further cementing the museum’s role in advancing gender equity in the art world.
Highlights from the Bennett Collection at the Muskegon Museum of Art
Among the many remarkable works featured in the Bennett Collection, three standout pieces encapsulate the depth, skill, and emotional resonance of contemporary figurative realism: Andrea Kowch’s "The Courtiers" (2016), Su Su’s "Empty Vessel III" (2021), and Zoey Frank’s "Parade" (2015).
Andrea Kowch - The Courtiers, 2016 | Acrylic on Canvas, 36" x 60" | Image courtesy of Muskegon Museum of Art
Andrea Kowch’s "The Courtiers" is a striking piece that immediately commands attention with its surreal, dreamlike quality. Known for her evocative storytelling and meticulous brushwork, Kowch crafts scenes that feel both grounded in reality and steeped in symbolism. This painting portrays a woman with a white peacock on a leash, surrounded by a flock of sandhill cranes. The scene evokes a haunting, late fall atmosphere over a harvested field, with a tiny, old house in the background.
The tension between solitude and companionship in Kowch’s work mirrors the broader themes of isolation and resilience often explored in female-centric art. Her painterly technique, characterized by rich textures and moody lighting, elevates figurative realism into a realm of storytelling that rivals literature.
Empty Vessel III, 2021 | Oil on Canvas, 36" x 36" | Image courtesy of Muskegon Museum of Art
Su Su’s "Empty Vessel III" offers a compelling juxtaposition of fluidity and form. This contemporary take on figurative realism fuses traditional painting techniques with a modern perspective, making it one of the most visually arresting pieces in the collection. The artist’s signature blending of translucent and opaque layers creates a mesmerizing interplay of depth and movement, challenging the viewer’s perception of physical and emotional space.
The piece’s title, "Empty Vessel III," suggests themes of identity, transformation, and the intangible essence of the human experience. By placing this work within the exhibition, the Bennett Collection underscores the evolving nature of figurative realism, demonstrating that the genre is not static but instead capable of profound innovation.
Zoey Frank - Parade, 2015 | Oil on Canvas, 78" x 126" | Image courtesy of Muskegon Museum of Art
Zoey Frank’s "Parade" is an exemplary study of movement and perspective within figurative realism. The painting captures a moment of dynamic energy, as a group of figures seem to dissolve into an atmospheric composition of shifting light and color. Frank’s approach to realism is uniquely her own—she embraces both precision and abstraction, allowing her figures to emerge and recede in a way that mirrors memory and fleeting moments.
"Parade" speaks to the fluid nature of identity and human interaction, reinforcing the idea that realism in painting can transcend mere representation to become an introspective and philosophical exploration. The placement of this piece within the Bennett Collection affirms the growing recognition of Frank as a leading voice in contemporary figurative art.
Elevating Women Artists on a National Stage
The Muskegon Museum of Art’s expansion and the unveiling of the Bennett Collection signal a transformative moment in the recognition of women artists. By dedicating permanent space to figurative realism by female painters, MMA not only honors the vision of its benefactors but also actively reshapes the landscape of American art institutions. In doing so, the museum becomes a beacon for other institutions to follow suit, ensuring that the contributions of women artists are given the prominence they have long deserved.
For art enthusiasts, collectors, and scholars, this exhibition presents an extraordinary opportunity to engage with a powerful, visually stunning collection that challenges historical biases and celebrates artistic excellence. The showcase of works like "The Courtiers," "Empty Vessel III," and "Parade" reinforces the depth and diversity of talent among contemporary women figurative realist painters, underscoring their rightful place in the art world.
With this expansion, the Muskegon Museum of Art embarks on a bold new chapter—one that not only doubles its physical space but also magnifies its impact on the broader conversation about gender equity in the arts. As the exhibition continues to draw visitors, it reaffirms that the fight for representation and recognition in the art world is far from over, but it is undoubtedly moving in the right direction.
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: Margaret Bowland, Aleah Chapin, Andrea Kowch, Alyssa Monks, Katie O’Hagan and dozens of others on the cutting edge of figurative realism.
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Muskegon Museum of Art Architectural Rendering | Image courtesy of Muskegon Museum of Art
The Muskegon Museum of Art is a century old art museum located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Muskegon, Michigan and is renowned for its fine permanent collection of American and European paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings.
The Muskegon Museum of Art is renowned for its fine permanent collection of American and European paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings. Regularly on view in the permanent collection galleries, you will find works by notable artists such as John Steuart Curry, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Elizabeth Catlett, Pierre Bonnard, and more.
The MMA studio glass collection is among the finest in the Midwest, featuring artists such as Dale Chihuly, Harvey Littleton, Dominick Labino, Sonja Blomdahl and Debora Moore.
The Museum also features many rotating exhibitions throughout the year, ranging from exhilarating national 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.
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