Florida Highwaymen Painters

This exhibition features 26 self-taught Black artists who overcame systemic barriers to paint and sell Florida landscapes from the 1950s to the 1980s. Their story bridges art history and social history, revealing how creative practice can become both an act of resistance and a pathway to self-determination. Long known collectively as the “Highwaymen,” they painted quickly and prolifically, often completing a dozen canvases a day. Denied access to traditional galleries, they built an entrepreneurial network, selling their still-wet paintings door-to-door, in offices and hotels, and along Florida’s newly built highways for about $25 each. Their art became a thriving business that captured the imagination of tourists, new homeowners, and locals during Florida’s postwar population and tourism boom. In doing so, they democratized access to art, reaching audiences far beyond the confines of traditional institutions.

Curated by Gordon Wilkins of the Addison Gallery of American Art, which first presented a version of this exhibition, Florida Highwaymen Painters tells a story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and artistic vision. Their art reflects both the hardships of segregation and the triumph of imagination over exclusion, inviting us to celebrate not only their shared legacy but also the individual talent, entrepreneurship, and enduring spirit.

Generously supported by