By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Feb 25, 2019 at 1:29 PM

The Pfister Hotel announced today that Rosy Petri will serve as the hotel’s 11th Artist in Residence. Petri, a Milwaukee-based multidisciplinary artist, will work in the hotel’s lobby-level Artist’s Studio for one year beginning April 1.

"I am honored to be chosen as The Pfister’s next Artist in Residence. As a woman of color, I find creating art is one of the few areas in life where I can freely name, embrace and honor my own identity," says Petri. "During this residency, I will work to celebrate diverse backgrounds and examine the complex nature of human life and relationships."

During her residency, Petri plans to create a salon and studio space that will highlight guests and other creators through portraiture and podcasts. She will develop a collection of photograph and fabric portraits, as well as audio interviews to share individuals’ perspectives on the theme of "myths of creation."

More information about Petri’s work can be found here.

"I cannot wait to share my unique perspective and, hopefully, help demystify the process of creating art and culture with the hotel’s many guests and visitors," says Petri.

Through various mediums, including fabric portraiture, quilt-making, photography and mixed media, Petri showcases her passion for social justice, art and storytelling. She is most well-known for her series of quilt portraits of famous American musicians that pay homage to the country’s diverse history of music.

Petri succeeds current Pfister Artist in Residence and fashion designer, Stephanie Schultz.

"We are proud to continue showcasing our city’s talented painters, photographers, designers and others who are among the best in the region," said Tim Smith, general manager of The Pfister Hotel. "Rosy’s focus on the creative process and her diverse talent across numerous disciplines will create a new voice for the program and we are all excited to see her in action."


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.