The Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA) has reached a historic milestone with its ambitious $15.4 million expansion, doubling its size and solidifying its status as a premier cultural institution in the Midwest. Central to this transformation is a groundbreaking exhibition dedicated exclusively to paintings of women by women artists, a first of its kind. This initiative is made possible by a generous $12 million donation and over 100 paintings from the personal collection of Steven Alan Bennett and Elaine Melotti Schmidt, dedicated collectors of contemporary women figurative realist artists since 2010. Their unparalleled gift, the largest in the museum’s history, reflects their commitment to gender equity in the art world. By unveiling its expanded galleries and this transformative exhibition, the MMA not only enhances its artistic offerings but also makes a powerful statement about recognizing and elevating women artists, further establishing its role as a champion of diversity in the arts.