Mary smith prize

An annual prize of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, it had a one-hundred dollar stipend until 1960 and three-hundred dollars from that time forward. It was established in 1879 by Russell Smith in honor of his deceased daughter, who had been a student at the Academy and whose dying wish was an Academy prize in her name. The selection criteria was the best painting by a woman resident of Philadelphia regardless of the subject. Recipients include Susan Macdowell, Cecilia Beaux, Jessie Willcox Smith and Martha Walter. Sources: Stephanie Strass; Peter Hastings Falk, "The Annual Exhibition Record of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts". (LPD)