City Hall Cultural Heritage Exhibit
The City Hall Cultural Exhibit was established to honor and share the many cultural legacies that have shaped Sarasota’s identity. From visual arts and circus traditions to architecture, tourism, and historical documentation, the exhibit celebrates the various influences that contribute to the city’s unique character. Located in Sarasota’s historic City Hall, the exhibit enhances the campus while inviting both residents and visitors to explore Sarasota’s rich artistic and cultural history.
This museum-quality experience is free and open to everyone. It features carefully selected exhibitions of paintings, photographs, and stories that show Sarasota’s cultural and architectural history. Managed by the City’s Public Art Program and Historic Preservation Division, and created with local partners, the exhibit helps our community by showcasing what makes Sarasota unique.
With these changing exhibits, the City of Sarasota continues to preserve the past while inspiring future generations.
Plan Your Visit
Sarasota's City Hall is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for City-observed holidays.
Current Exhibit
"Now You See Us" - The Petticoat Painters Exhibition
Step into Sarasota’s rich cultural history with Now You See Us, a vibrant exhibition celebrating The Petticoat Painters, one of the oldest continuously exhibiting women’s art groups in the U.S. Since 1953, this collective has provided a platform for women artists, and today, their legacy continues.
Friday, March 27, 2026 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
City Hall Lobby and Promenade
Celebrate the closing of the Petticoat Painters’ Now You See Us exhibit on March 27 from 4:00–6:00 PM at Sarasota City Hall, 1565 First Street. This free, public event features artist demonstrations, live performances by students from Booker High School’s Visual & Performing Arts Program, and interactive discussions with Public Art Committee Vice Chair Maria Schaedler-Luera. Come meet the artists and experience the lasting creative legacy of this historic women’s art group!
Previous Exhibits
- The Florida Highwaymen Exhibit, in partnership with Roger Lightle/Florida Highwaymen Collectors. (January 2024 - February 2025)
- Sarasota Circus Heritage and Sarasota Colony Artists, in partnership with Arts Advocates, Circus Arts Conservatory, and Sarasota County History Center
- Sarasota School of Architecture, in partnership with Architecture Sarasota and Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources