One of Partridge’s most significant contributions to the Layton Art Gallery was the addition of works by Wisconsin artists to the collection. She also saw value in collecting art created by Layton School of Art faculty and former students. Emily Groom, Helen Hoppin, Karl Priebe, Gerrit Sinclair, and Dudley Crafts Watson were among those whose prints and paintings were acquired.
Partridge deinstalled Frederick Layton’s English watercolor gallery in order to create a space devoted to the work of Wisconsin artists. Miriam Frink explained, “Charlotte was the first person to give real understanding and support to the painters of Wisconsin and give them a gallery where they could exhibit.” The paintings and prints on this wall are indicative of the range of Wisconsin artwork that Partridge collected during her tenure as curator of the Layton Art Gallery.
