The Bennett Prize

06/18/2026

“It has given me a tremendous boost of confidence at a time when I needed it. It has helped me to feel connected to a community of artists, and supported by Steven and Elaine, who have become such important patrons of women artists.”
-Haley Hasler, Bennett Prize® 3 finalist

Art can be solitary, but it does not have to be isolating. Recognition builds confidence, and The Bennett Prize® fosters a community of women painters and a growing network of alumnae who connect, support, and inspire one another, strengthening both individual practices and the field as a whole.

Go to thebennettprize.org/news-items/why-should-you-apply to learn more.

Image: Haley Hasler (Bennett Prize® 3 finalist), Fall of Man©, 2024, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 inches. Round 3 Bennett Prize® finalists (Deng Shqing, Laura Karetzky, Linda Infante Lyons, Monica Ikegwu, Haley Hasler, Sara Lee Hughes, Kyla Zoe Rafert, Ruth Dealy, Mayumi Nakao, Ronna S. Harris).

06/16/2026

Congratulations to Ayana Ross on the recent unveiling of her portrait honoring the late Louvenia Dorsey Bright at the Vermont State House.

The portrait marks a historic moment for the Vermont Statehouse, where Bright is now recognized as the first Black woman and woman of color represented in the Statehouse portrait collection. Bright, who served three terms representing South Burlington after her election in 1988, was the first Black woman and woman of color elected to the Vermont Legislature.

Winner of Round 2 of The Bennett Prize, a Bennett Prize brand ambassador and former fellow at the Vermont Studio Center, Ayana created the portrait after immersing herself in photographs and stories shared by Bright’s family and community. The painting captures Bright’s warmth and presence while incorporating meaningful symbols from her life, including flowers representing the states she called home, an apple honoring her career in education and legislation tied to paid family leave, a cause she helped champion.

“When people walk through these halls and they see her portrait, I hope they don’t just see history. I hope they see possibility.” - Rep. Saudia LaMont

Read more: sevendaysvt.com/arts-culture/visualart/a-bright-spot-statehouse-unveils-portrait-of-louvenia-bright/

Watch the unveiling: https://youtu.be/4BRk31mixBk

Image: Ayana Ross (Bennett Prize® 2 winner), Portrait of former Rep. Louvenia Dorsey Bright©, 2026, oil on canvas, 48 x 36 inches.

06/10/2026

The human figure has long been a way for artists to explore identity, experience, and connection. As the field continues to evolve, so do the stories being told—and the people telling them.

We're interested in the conversations that emerge when a wider range of voices and lived experiences are represented in contemporary painting. What artists, works, or ideas have expanded your understanding of the figure and its possibilities?

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and celebrating the richness of contemporary figurative art throughout the month.

Image: Chloe Chiasson (Bennett Prize® 2 finalist), The Corner Store©, 2023, Mixed media installation with oil, acrylic, wood, plaster, Plexiglass, vinyl, chain, LEDs, metal, resin, paper mache, ink, matches, aluminum on shaped panels, 132 x 85 x 53 inches.

06/08/2026

“The Bennett Prize gave me freedom of both creativity and time to work on my art.” - Deng Shiqing, winner of The Bennett Prize® 3

Time is one of the most valuable resources an artist can receive. With it comes the space to take risks, deepen practice and fully commit to the work. The Bennett Prize creates that space for women painters ready to push their work further.

Learn more on why you should apply at thebennettprize.org/news-items/why-should-you-apply

Images: Deng Shiqing in her studio.

06/06/2026

Congratulations to Bennett Prize 2 finalist, Su Su on her New York City solo debut exhibition, Seeing, Being.

Currently on view through June 20 at The Journal Gallery, Seeing, Being presents a thoughtful and deeply personal body of work that reflects Su Su's distinctive artistic voice. Through her nuanced approach to portraiture and representation, she explores themes of identity, memory and human connection, inviting viewers into moments of quiet reflection and recognition.

The exhibition marks an exciting new chapter in her career, bringing her work to New York audiences in her first solo exhibition in the city. Su Su's commitment to her practice and her ability to create work that is both intimate and resonant continue to distinguish her as an artist to watch.

We are proud to celebrate this achievement and grateful to have been part of her journey. Congratulations to Su Su on this well-deserved milestone, and we look forward to following her continued success. Go to thejournalgallery.com/artists/117-su-su/ to see her work.

Photography courtesy of Su Su: Timestamp

06/03/2026

A studio visit with Kira Nam Greene offers a thoughtful reflection on the impact of The Bennett Prize® and the evolving conversation around realism in contemporary painting.

As a finalist in the inaugural Bennett Prize®, Kira describes the exhibition as a rare opportunity where artists' work gain broad visibility and are supported by founders who are deeply invested in their careers. She highlights one of the prize's greatest strengths: its expansive view of realism.

"There is no single definition of realism," Kira explains. "The diversity of approaches among women realist painters enriches both your own practice and your understanding of what realism can be."

She also reflects on the broader significance of The Prize, noting that by recognizing and elevating women artists, The Bennett Prize® helps address longstanding inequities in the art world and creates greater visibility for women painters.

Thank you to our partners at ARTnews for helping us share the stories and perspectives of Bennett Prize® artists with a wider audience.

05/27/2026

Thank you to Artsy for the feature and write-up on Nicole M. Santiago’s work. We’re grateful to see Nicole’s thoughtful, emotionally rich paintings shared with a wider audience and celebrated alongside her incredible body of work.

Nicole’s ability to capture atmosphere, narrative, and quiet moments of transformation continues to resonate deeply with collectors and viewers alike. We’re proud to support and share her work.

Take a look at her work titled, Transition here: https://www.artsy.net/artwork/nicole-santiago-transition-1

Available for sale from Matney Gallery, Nicole Santiago, Transition (2021), Oil on linen, 16 × 50 in

05/26/2026

Curating your work is an act of clarity and intention. Each piece you include should strengthen your overall narrative and reflect your commitment to figurative realism.

For round 5, this is your opportunity to present not just individual works, but a cohesive body of work that resonates as a unified statement. Jurors are looking for consistency, focus, and a clear artistic voice across your submission.

Stay focused as you refine your selection. Every painting should reinforce your technical ability and your artistic direction, working together to show the strength of your practice as a whole.

Submit your work by Sep. 19. To learn more, go to https://www.thebennettprize.org/news-items/curating-your-submission

Image: Jennifer R.A. Campbell (Bennett Prize® 1 finalist), Spinner©, 2023, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches.

05/22/2026

We celebrate the ateliers, art schools and mentors who shape artists at every stage of their journey. Their guidance builds more than technical skill. It fosters confidence, discipline and a way of seeing that carries into every decision in the studio.

From rigorous critiques in art school to the quiet encouragement of a mentor or the shared focus of an atelier, these experiences leave a lasting imprint. They influence how artists approach materials, develop ideas and refine their visual language over time.

The lessons learned in these spaces often stay with artists long after formal instruction ends, continuing to inform how they work, think and grow.
Honor that legacy by presenting your strongest work. Tag your favorite art school, artist mentor or atelier.

Image: Alyssa Monks (Bennett Prize® 2 juror), I’ll Back You Up©, 2018, oil on linen, 70 x 80 inches.

05/18/2026

Art can be a powerful space for reflection, healing and connection, a place where emotions that are difficult to name can take shape in color, form, sound or movement. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we acknowledge not only the challenges many face but also the role creativity can play in processing experience and supporting emotional well-being.

Making art does not require perfection or certainty. It can begin with honesty, with showing up as you are, allowing process to lead and giving yourself permission to create without judgment. In that openness, art can become both grounding and expressive, offering a way to understand what we carry and to share it in ways words sometimes cannot.

Whether your work is quiet or bold, personal or expansive, it reflects something real and that reality has value. Your voice matters and it deserves space to be seen and heard.

Share it through your submission. thebennettprize.org

Image: Deng Shiqing (Bennett Prize® 3 winner), The History of Information©, 2022, oil on linen, 60 x 48 inches.