The Florida Highwaymen Mini-Display

PERMANENT EXHIBIT

Florida’s Legendary African American Landscape Artists
“The struggle for equality is without borders… we are all relevant and sacred in the eyes of Nature.”

An Untold Story of Art, Resilience, and Opportunity
The Highwaymen were a group of 26 African American artists who transformed Florida’s landscapes into vivid, collectible works of art while quietly challenging the barriers of their time.

Painting Beyond Barriers
In the mid-20th century, African American artists were largely excluded from traditional galleries and art institutions, especially in the segregated South.
Rather than accept those limitations, these artists created their own path.

They painted Florida’s natural beauty, sunsets, highways, marshes, and coastlines, then sold their work door-to-door, along roadsides, and directly to buyers. This unconventional approach earned them the name “The Highwaymen.”

A Legacy That Endures
The Highwaymen were more than artists, they were entrepreneurs, innovators, and pioneers.
Their story is one of resilience, creativity, and community. 25 men and 1 woman who turned adversity into opportunity and left behind a legacy that continues to inspire.

ALL EXHIBITS ARE INCLUDED WITH REGULAR ADMISSIONS