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 the public, offering thoughtfully curated exhibitions of paintings, photographs, and historical narratives that reflect Sarasota’s cultural and architectural heritage. Overseen by the City’s Public Art Program and Historic Preservation Division, and presented in collaboration with local organizations, the exhibit supports the health, prosperity, and welfare of our community by highlighting the distinctive elements that make Sarasota special.
Through these rotating exhibits, the City of Sarasota reaffirms its commitment to preserving 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.
Opening Reception – Phase 2
Thursday. January 8, 2026 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
City Hall Sculpture Garden and First-Floor Gallery
Phase 2 debuts an expanded exhibition featuring all-new artworks and additional participating artists, transforming the first-floor public areas of City Hall with a refreshed and comprehensive presentation of the Petticoat Painters’ current work. Opening remarks will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Sculpture Garden, followed by a performance by Sarasota Contemporary Dance, an all-women’s dance company, which plans to incorporate the Jack Cartlidge Earth Mother sculpture (weather permitting). Guests are invited to meet and mingle with the artists and enjoy light refreshments. This event is free and open to the public.
Meet the Petticoat Painters: Film and Q&A
Friday, February 27, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 a.m.
City Hall Commission Chambers
This program includes a short documentary film about the Petticoat Painters, followed by a moderated Q&A with members of the group. Attendees will gain insight into the collective’s long history, artistic perspectives, and the evolution of women’s creative practice in Sarasota.
Closing Celebration
Friday, March 27, 2026 | 4:00–6:00 p.m.
City Hall Lobby and Promenade
The exhibition year concludes with a celebratory outdoor program featuring plein air painting, artist demonstrations, and a festive environment in recognition of Women’s History Month. Community members are encouraged to join the artists on the City Hall promenade as the City honors the lasting influence and creative vision 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