The Highwaymen were a group of 26 African American artists from the Fort Pierce area in Florida. In the 1950s and 60s they painted idyllic images of the Florida landscape and sold around 200,000 paintings directly to the public. In those days, it was impossible to find galleries willing to represent the Highwaymen. Instead they started selling their art door-to-door in South Florida. The Highwaymen art was made popular again in the 90s and today their art is recognized as an important part of American folk history. In 2004, twenty-six highway men were included in the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Today Highwaymen art is highly priced and sought after by collectors.
On Saturday June 7, you’ll have a rare opportunity to come and meet eight of the Original Highwaymen Artists: Curtis Arnett, Al Black, Mary Ann Carroll, Isaac Knight, R. L. Lewis,R.A. McClendon, Willie Reagan, & Jimmy Stovall. The reception begins at noon. Hundreds of Highwaymen originals will be available beginning at 4:30 p.m. June 7 during an auction at Great Expectations Auction Company, in the Ponce de Leon Mall, St. Augustine.
Schedule of Events:
12:00 Noon ~ Gallery Opening, Meet the Artists
1:00 PM ~ Showing of “The Highwaymen†Film
2:00 PM ~ Artists Demonstration
3:00 PM ~ Art Appraisals of your Highwaymen Paintings
4:00 PM ~ Each Artist will Introduce Themselves
4:30 PM ~ Art Auction of Highwaymen Paintings
5:15 PM ~ Antique Auction
For more information about the auction, please call 904-806-4274