Florida Department of State

Florida Department of State
Kurt S. Browning
Secretary of State

Petticoat Painters of Sarasota - 55th Anniversary Exhibit on Display in the Capitol's 22nd Floor Gallery

Secretary of State Kurt S. Browning announces Petticoat Painters of Sarasota-55th Anniversary Exhibit, an invitational exhibition featuring artwork by the Petticoat Painters, one of the oldest continuously exhibiting women's arts groups in the United States today. The exhibition will be on display from May 8th through August 1st, 2008, on the 22nd Floor of the Florida Capitol. Eleven of the exhibiting artists will travel from Sarasota to explore the historic Tallahassee area and will be available to discuss their work at a "meet the artists" event Thursday, May 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

The Petticoat Painters, a group of women artists living and working in Sarasota, Florida, were founded in 1953. At that time, women artists had difficulty getting their work shown and often did not receive the same success and recognition as their male counterparts. Founding member Martha Hartman, who owned the Seventh Street Gallery on Main Street in Sarasota with her husband, Bill, invited several fellow women artists in the area to take part in an all-women's show. Upon that show's immediate success, the foundations of a formidable and enduring group of women artists were laid. Members have come and gone over the years, although the two earliest members, Hartman and Judy Axe, remain among the 20 current Petticoat Painters whose work represents an eclectic mix of styles and media. Petticoat Painters have attained membership in recognized art organizations such as the American Watercolor Society, the Florida Artists Guild, and the International Society of Experimental Artists.

The 22nd Floor Capitol Gallery is located in the Florida Capitol. Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For further information, contact Brannon Solomon at the Division of Cultural Affairs at 850.245.6415.