A Conversation with Noted Art Philanthropists

Louie Preciado

Philanthropists and champions of gender equality, Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt recently donated more than 150 works of art, painted by women in the figurative realist style, and $1.5 million in cash to the Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA).

This gift will help position MMA as one of a handful of museums in the world with a dedicated space devoted to the work of women artists.

Below, they discuss their collection, the gift and the need for woman representation in the arts.

How did the Bennett Collection come to fruition?

Melotti Schmidt: About 15 years ago, we had a condo in Chicago with empty walls. Steve conducted research and discovered a lot of great figurative realism paintings being done by women.

We both liked the work and realized that, for our budget, we could buy more powerful pieces if we focused on women artists.

Courtesy of The Bennett Collection

As we got into collecting, we realized this was a social justice issue that included pay and representational inequity. We decided acquiring pieces from women artists would be our mission and focus.

Why did you choose to invest in the Muskegon Museum of Art?

Bennett: We first worked with MMA on the Bennett Prize, which awards $50,000 to a woman artist to create her own solo exhibition of figurative realist paintings. We interviewed a number of museums and found the Muskegon Museum had a commitment to figurative realism and a willingness to work with us to oversee a competitive prize.

We are also both from the Midwest and liked the idea of working with Midwesterners. We get them and they get us.

What can visitors expect when viewing the Bennett Collection?

Melotti Schmidt: If they have a definition for figurative realism, it will be expanded considerably. It’s not just traditional figures; it’s cutting-edge pieces, too.

Courtesy of The Bennett Collection

Why is it important to have a permanent space within a museum for showcasing art by women?

Bennett: Women have been wrongly neglected and deserve to be given a better place in the sun. It’s excellent that the Muskegon Museum has stepped forward to enable women to have a space of their own.

Is the museum for everyone?

Melotti Schmidt: Art is for everyone. As an educator, I feel we need to do a better job of introducing people to museum culture, so they feel comfortable visiting those spaces.

Most museums have different kinds of exhibitions, and there will typically be at least a room or two that people resonate with. We just have to get people in the door and help them feel comfortable.

MMA, along with many other museums, is trying to make the museum very accessible to all the people in their community.