Media
Here you’ll find images, articles and videos shared about the Petticoat Painters. The Petticoat Painters continue to evolve in their personal art-making. The various techniques, styles and mediums indicate their willingness to explore and experiment with each artist bringing her unique vision to the exhibitions.
Videos
Now You See Us: Sarasota's Petticoat Painters 1953-2025 Sarasota City Hall Cultural Heritage Exhibit, March 2025-March 2026 A Visual Tour of Artists and Work.
This video is a snapshot of the Petticoat Painter's Opening Reception at Sarasota's City Hall in March 2025 as part of the city's Cultural Heritage Exhibit. This exhibit runs through March 2026.
10 x 10, presented in April 2025, by then President of the Petticoat Painters, Jana Millstone, addresses the question “Do we still need Petticoats?” 10 × 10 is held at The Sarasota Art Museum and introduces a diverse group of leaders and creative minds to the community.
A short history of this dynamic group of women painters interspersed with images from the Ringling College of Art + Design - Willis A Smith Gallery June 3 - June 24, 2022
Please join us for a conversation with select members of the Petticoat Painters, one of the oldest continuously exhibiting women’s art groups in the United States. We talk about the group’s history, as well as each artist’s work in their current exhibit, “The Petticoat Painters: Enduring Paths”, on view thru March 6, 2022 at Dunedin Fine Art Center.
Marcia Christ shares her insight on the making of her film, Sixty and Strong, Petticoat Painters, a Celebration of the Art and Spirit.
In Print
Zest: New Work by the Petticoat Painters at the Morean Arts Center St Petersburg
The Petticoat Painters are back with their fabulous new works. This group of contemporary painters dates back to 1953, the year the group created a platform for female artists in a time where there were less exhibition opportunities for female creatives.
The Petticoat Painters at SPAACES Art Gallery
SRQ Magazine
On May 3, an exhibition that only could have originated in Sarasota is coming to the SPAACES Art Gallery. Women Artists: Courage in the Lifelong Pursuit of Art Making will highlight the work of the Petticoat Painters, one of the longest tenured continuously exhibiting women’s art groups in the country.
The group, which consists of 20 female artists from the Sarasota-area, was created in 1953 as a reaction to the inequality experienced by women artists–it was a time where women struggled to not only find venues to show their work, but to gain adequate compensation for it as well. What started as a one-off show featuring seven women who dubbed themselves the “Petticoat Painters” has evolved into a tight-knit community that has lasted for over 70 years. To be a member of the Petticoat Painters is not an easy feat, one has to reside in the Sarasota area and be invited to join. The group celebrates that its members include artists of diverse styles and visual mediums and serves as a support base for these select female creators. The Petticoat Painters stand for more than just their elite membership, however, as the collective aims to push for further exposure and equality for women artists.
One of the members who will be showing at the SPAACES exhibition is Jana Millstone, a New York City born and bred artist who moved to Sarasota in 2014 and was invited to join the Petticoat Painters soon after. Millstone, an accomplished artist whose work spans various mediums including painting and textiles, can attest to the support she has received from the group as a woman artist. “The issue of women’s exhibition has been a long one and the group is almost 72 years old. While women are now finding more opportunities for exhibition, the parity of pay and general career track for very established female artists is still nowhere near their male counterparts,” says Millstone. “There’s definitely still a need for this kind of camaraderie. It’s really easy to get sidetracked in an art career, particularly for women, because you often have to balance family requirements with the time needed to put into your art as a creative person. The Petticoat Painters are people that have my back and share the challenges and peculiar joys of making art.”
May 3 to June 1, Opening Night Reception May 3, 6-8pm, SPAACES Art Gallery, 2051 Princeton St, Sarasota.
PICTURED: JILL'S JEWELS BY SUSAN KLEIN.
Images courtesy of Sorcha Augustine Photography
Meet Nancy Hielscher
We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Meg Pierce a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Meg, thanks for joining us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?
Meg Pierce talks with Canvas Rebel
We recently connected with Nancy Hielscher and have shared our conversation below.
Nancy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?…
Meet Jana Millstone
We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jana Millstone. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jana below…
Canvas Rebel Speaks with Evelyn McCorristin Peters
We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Evelyn McCorristin Peters a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below…
WUSF’s Cathy Carter interviews Petticoat Painters Kathy Wright and Evelyn McCorristin Peters on why their group continues to be relevant.
This Sarasota Group Is One of the Oldest Women’s Arts Collectives in the U.S.
Interview with Petticoat Painter Madelaine Ginsberg for Sarasota Magazine.
Petticoat Painters original members 1953.