Orange County Honors Legacy of Florida Highwaymen With Permanent Exhibit

An iconic art collection depicting dreamy Florida landscapes is now on display at the Centro de Convenciones del Condado de Orange, paying homage to the heritage of 26 African American artists known as the Highwaymen.

Picturesque paintings reflecting mid-20th century Florida and culture, crafted by self-taught artists, will now permanently adorn these halls. This collection will expose thousands of daily visitors to notable American folk art.

"The display pays tribute to the resilience and legacy of the artists who represent an important part of Florida history," said Dawn R. Knight, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Public Arts Coordinator. "The resurgence highlights the significance of their art."

According to Knight, the team began planning to assemble the collection in early 2020, but it was postponed due to the pandemic. It took nearly five years to secure the exhibit, marking the first Public Art Project installation since before the pandemic.

An official unveiling took place in February during Black History Month, with Mayor Jerry L. Demings and other dignitaries attending.

This exhibit includes 15 pieces painted by 12 artists. Among them are three sets of brothers: Harold and Sam Newton; Willie and Johnny Daniels; and Ellis and George Buckner.

So, who were these Florida Highwaymen, and how did they assert their economic independence during the Jim Crow era?

The 1950s were a time when opportunities for African Americans were severely limited due to racial discrimination. Rather than toiling in Florida's citrus groves for meager wages, these ingenious Black artists united to paint a path to a better life. Using inexpensive materials like Upson Board, oil paints, and crown molding for frames, these entrepreneurs created high-volume, low-cost paintings. Inspired by the success of Fort Pierce painter A.E. (Bean) Buckus, they emulated his style of serene Florida scenes representing the American dream. With no gallery to exhibit, they hawked paintings from the trunks of cars selling to Florida hotels, banks and bars. Hence, eventually earning the name Highwaymen.

While demand for these emotive paintings soared into the 1970s, with some 200,000 paintings crafted, enthusiasm eventually waned.

A revival occurred in the 1990s leading to a greater recognition of their impact on American art and culture. These noteworthy contributions were spotlighted in historian Gary Monroe's book, "The Highwaymen: Florida's African American Landscape Painters."

Monroe states, “Their glowing images were way beyond tourist art; they were the landscape of the American Dream, and Florida was the place that people imagined when they dreamed of a post-war future of family, enjoyment and rejuvenation.”

Patrons can view the exhibit in the Orange County Convention Center’s West Building Hall D lobby.