Petticoat Painters film to be shown at City Hall Feb. 27
Feb. 13, 2026
Join the Petticoat Painters for a celebration of their artwork and history at Sarasota’s City Hall on February 27 from 10am - 11:30am.
Nine members of the long-running, Sarasota based women’s art collective will be on hand to talk about their work. A short film on the history of the Petticoat Painters will also be presented. This is in conjunction with the Now You See Us exhibition currently running at Sarasota’s City Hall through the end of March.
Now You See Us highlights the work of 24 amazing women artists, each with her own distinct vision of the world. You’ve probably heard of the Petticoat Painters, but wondered who they are. Here’s your chance to learn more about this diverse group of women artists. You’ll have an opportunity to ask them about their work, their techniques, and what inspires them to create. “This event offers attendees a rare opportunity to meet the Petticoat Painters and see firsthand the process and people behind the artwork now on display in City Hall,” said Public Art Administrator Ciera Coleman. “I encourage anyone interested in public art and the unique story of the Petticoat Painters to join us at this free community event.”
The story of the Petticoat Painters began in 1950 when Martha Hartman, a recent graduate of The Ringling School of Art & Design won 1st place in an exhibition sponsored by the Sarasota Art Association and looked forward to the prize money. She was shocked to receive what amounted to a “certificate of participation” rather than prize money like the male winners.
In 1953 she organized the first Petticoat Painters show featuring hand-picked women artists. That first group, wanting to support fellow artists, began paying their legacy forward by inviting creative women to join them. That’s been going on for nearly three quarters of a century now and has spanned generations of creative women artists.
The current exhibition at City Hall includes 24 local artists. There is no single “Petticoat Painter” look to the the artwork. Each woman is inspired by her own creative muse as well as the camaraderie and vibrant association with her artistic peers.
Petticoat Painters is one of the oldest continuously exhibiting group of women artists in the U. S.
https://petticoatpainters.com/
Petticoat Painters: Now You See Us
Sarasota City Hall, Commission Chambers
February 27, 10 am- 11:30 am
1565 1st Street . Sarasota, FL 34236
Free and open to the public
Media Contact:
Alice Sundstrom
asunds00@gmail.com
541-912-0897