THE HIGHWAYMEN

For 60 years Floridians have embraced a legendary group of African American artists known as the Highwaymen. Selling their colorful works of art along the road. The Highwaymen developed a rapid style of painting that captured a romantic vision of Florida.

Highwaymen Alfred Hair met Ft. Pierce landscape artist A.E. Backus while he was in high school. Backus welcomed him into his studio and gave the aspiring painter lessons. Other artists of this group followed Backus's example and started painting.

The innovative Highwaymen approach to painting was no less than the path they found around the limitations imposed on them by radical segregation. Highwaymen Art Specialists recognizes the many achievements of this group and are supportive of their efforts.

HIGHWAYMEN ART SPECIALISTS

In the mid 1950's, a small group of 26 loosely associated African American artists started a business venture that became an American success story. Centered in the area of Ft. Pierce and Vero Beach, they created art work they then sold from the trunks of their cars.

These artists were not accepted into galleries in this era of time . To overcome this obstacle they traveled the roads selling their art to business owners, real estate offices, lawyers offices, banks and others along the way. In 1994, they were given the name The Highwaymen by Jim Fitch.

The Highwaymen have captured Florida's beauty that is currently being compromised by development. Backwoods scenes, breaking waves, palm lined beaches and river scenes are part of what they painted.

Highwaymen Art Specialists recognizes the importance of what the

Highwaymen accomplished. Their story is the American success story.