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Highwaymen Exhibit, Event Features Renowned Artist
The Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History is
sponsoring a special loan exhibit of Highwaymen paintings. The exhibit,
which will run through Saturday, Mar. 31, includes original Highwaymen
paintings purchased over many years, some even before historian Jim
Fitch gave these renowned artists the name "Highwaymen".
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photo for Tropical Breeze courtesy Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History.
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At various times during the exhibit some of the
artists will be at the museum painting and demonstrating their
technique. During last year's show, highwayman artist S.M. Wells was in
residence for several days, working on paintings and talking to museum
visitors about his art. Dates and artists names for this year's
demonstrations are available by contacting the museum. Some of the
paintings, along with Highwayman gift items, including their 2007
calendar, will be for sale at the museum.
Highwaymen artists and family members posed for
a group portrait during last year’s gathering in Safety Harbor. Artists
pictured are: (l-r, front row) Sylvester Wells, Sister Wells, Mrs. Earl
Barber, Mary Ann Carroll, Theda Black, Jimmy Stovel, B.L. Lewis and
R.L. Lewis, Jr.; (l-r, middle row) Earl Barber, Curtis, Johnny Stovel,
Robert Butler, Willie Reagan, Donna Reagan and Issac Knight; (l-r, back
row) Issac Knight, Jr., (unidentified), Lee Drake, Miss Black, Kelvin
Hair and Johnny Daniels.
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Sunday, Feb. 25, in celebration of Black
History Month, the museum will present the 8th Annual showing of
Highwaymen art from 1-5 p.m. at the Safety Harbor Community Center, 650
Ninth Ave. S., Safety Harbor. More than ten of the original 26 artists
will be present to meet with the public and share their traditions as
well as their painting techniques. All of their paintings will be for
sale. The admission charge will be $5 per person,
The Highwaymen is the name given to a group of
African American artists from the Ft. Pierce area who started selling
their painting in the late 1950s, often from the trunks of cars along
the highways and byways of South Florida. The original artists were
taught how to paint by landscape artist A.E. "Bean" Backus. Materials
used were often whatever was at hand, including house paints. Paintings
typically consist of Florida landscapes, wind-swept palm trees,
billowing clouds, wetlands, lakes, rivers, ocean and setting sun. In
March 2004, Governor Jeb Bush inducted them into the Florida Hall of
Fame and now many of their paintings are on display in the State
Capital and Executive Mansion.
The museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m Tues.-Fri.;
1-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for seniors and
teens. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Call 727-726-1668 or
e-mail
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