Amy Werntz, a Dallas-based figurative painter, has won the fifth Bennett Prize, the largest art award for women working in figurative painting. The announcement was made at the Muskegon Museum of Art in Michigan, where an exhibition of finalists opened. Werntz, a previous finalist in 2021, received $50,000 and a solo show for her lifelike depictions of elderly people in everyday scenes. For the first time, the winner was chosen by an all-female jury, which included painter Margaret Bowland, artist Angela Fraleigh, and curator Gloria Groom. The runner-up, Nicole Santiago, won $10,000. The traveling exhibition will visit several museums across the United States through 2027.
The Bennett Prize matters because it directly addresses the historical underrepresentation of women in figurative painting, both in terms of recognition and financial support. The all-female jury this year underscores a commitment to gender equity in the art world, while the prize's emphasis on self-promotion and career development highlights ongoing challenges female artists face. By awarding substantial funds and a traveling solo show, the prize helps elevate women artists who might otherwise be overlooked in a market that often favors male artists. The involvement of educators on the jury also signals a broader concern for mentoring the next generation of women painters.