nike parton

Nike Parton (1922–2005) was a Sarasota-based painter and educator whose work captured the spirit and light of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Originally from New York City, she served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II before studying at the Ringling School of Art, the Art Students League in New York, and the Connaway Art School.

Known for her plein air landscapes and coastal scenes, Parton painted with clarity and emotional depth, often working in oil and watercolor to depict the subtleties of Florida’s natural environment. She believed deeply in the act of observation, once stating that “art is learning to see deeper.”

A dedicated teacher, Parton spent two decades instructing at the Art League of Manatee County and led painting workshops from her studio on Siesta Key. She was also a longtime member of the Petticoat Painters, one of the nation’s oldest women’s artist groups. Her work continues to reflect a powerful sense of place and a quiet reverence for the world around her.