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The Florida Highwaymen – Meet the Artists

March 14th and 15th, 2008

janddrice@windstream.net jva@comcast.net

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

White Springs, Florida

A small group of 26 African-Americans began painting vivid Florida landscapes in the 1950s, lead by Alfred Hair. Being unknown, self-taught and unaccepted in galleries, the artists sold their creations from the trunks of their cards, peddling their work up and down the east coast highways from their homes around Fort Pierce. Their style was individual and unique, using whatever materials were available as their "canvas". A resurgence of interest in their work began in the 1990s, with interest in "Outsider" art. Many of the original 26 Highwaymen continue to paint and share their work and love of the Florida landscape.

Now the public can meet the artists and view the works of original 5 of the original 26 Highwaymen:

Robert Lewis

Isaac Knight

Willie Reagan

Mary Ann Carroll

Curtis Arnett

March 14, 2008

A reception, silent auction fundraiser and preview of the work will be held Friday evening from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Carillon Tower in Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park on U.S. 41 in White Springs, Florida.

March 15, 2008

Artists will be lecturing throughout the day during the concurrent Wild Azalea Festival held at the same Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. A public exhibit and art sale will occur from 9 am to 4 pm Saturday March 15th.

For more information:

Debbie Rice (386) 362-2066 or

Or Jean Van Arsdall (386) 388-8898

Or contact the park: Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park at 386-397-2733 or http://www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster/