Femme Forward – Lancaster, PA

Every 90’s kid remembers the iconic Lisa Frank aesthetic: bright neon colors, bold patterns, and cute animals. This style of art has never gone out of style in our hearts, and adding a similar touch of whimsical cuteness to everything is at the core of local artist Sarah Garrett’s work. Sarah is co-owner of Soft Serve Spooks with friend and fellow Pennsylvania College of Art and Design grad Willa Hutchison. She has been working as a Senior Associate and Graphic Artist for Building Character since 2018, which is also home to Soft Serve Spooks booth.

You might also find Sarah vending at various events or working with other local businesses who commission work from her. Her style is recognizable in her works with jar labels for Love & Kindness Candles, monthly Roundbreads menus, and Lanco Candle Supply’s website banner. This style of art has risen in popularity in recent years, bringing the colorful cutesy vibe back around. Each piece of art is as unique as the person who made it, and Sarah’s work invokes a special kind of warm feeling no matter the project. Sarah’s need to create “cute things” is what makes her art so fun. Its fun to see her style come through in each design regardless of the subject. She has always felt a special connection to art, and has tried many physical mediums like drawing, painting, as well as digital.

There is no shortage of small local artists in Lancaster, but each one is truly its own in style and feeling. Supporting local artists is important now more than ever, recent data shows that younger female artists are beginning to inch closer to narrowing the gap in gender parity. There are historical biases that have lead male artists to be favored over women, no matter the medium or availability. With the emergence of online availability, The Artsy Women Artists Market Report 2024 found that among Gen Z artists (born in or after 1997), works by women accounted for 51% of online inquiries. This applies to places where you can support local (or further away) artists like Etsy.

With the growing popularity of using AI in art, some artists may be fearing for their livelihoods or even their life work. This fear is understandable, as the rapid advancements in technology can sometimes overshadow the human touch that artists bring to their creations. Supporting artists in maintaining their presence in the art world is pivotal in this AI driven age, where creativity and technology must find a new way to coexist. Fostering an environment that uplifts female artists can significantly help to lessen the wage disparities that have long plagued the art community. Lancaster is an artistic hub brimming with talent, and is full of amazing female artists who bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the forefront. If cute and pastel wonders are your thing, consider checking out Sarah’s work!