Ringling College Of Art And Design

Millie Bennett was an American folk artist whose work rose to prominence in Washington, D.C. during the 1980s. Her first painting exhibited in an Alexandria gallery sold on its first day. Soon thereafter, her images of national monuments, painted in the American Primitive style, emerged in gift shops from the Smithsonian to the White House. She received commissions to paint Congressional Christmas cards. Today her work is preserved in the permanent collection of the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas.

Upon retirement, Millie moved to Florida to live near family and the art colonies surrounding Sarasota. There she continued to paint, but more importantly, encouraged young people to pursue their creativity in the arts, particularly in painting and theater. She died at age 98 on June 13, 2022.

To celebrate Millie’s life and art, the family requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions to this memorial fund benefitting Ringling College of Art and Design. The initial goal is to raise funds sufficient to cover one student’s annual tuition by Millie’s 99th birthday.

For nearly 90 years, Ringling College of Art and Design has created an inspiring and engaging environment to shape its students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. Nine out of ten Ringling College students rely on scholarships to meet their tuition requirements.