The Orange County Convention Center has officially embraced a slice of Florida's art history with the installation of a new permanent exhibit celebrating the work of the Florida Highwaymen, a group of 26 African American artists whose landscape paintings became emblematic of the state's scenery and culture in the mid-20th century. The exhibit, now open to the thousands of daily visitors passing through the Convention Center, ensures these artists' contributions to American folk art and their unique place in the narrative of Floridian identity are not forgotten.
In a move to both preserve and showcase the tenacity of these self-taught artists, the Convention Center has hung 15 paintings crafted by 12 of the Highwaymen, including works by Harold and Sam Newton, Willie and Johnny Daniels, and Ellis and George Buckner, as reported by Orange County newsroom. The group notably surmounted obstacles of the Jim Crow era to create and directly sell their artwork, a method that would ultimately secure their legacy.
As a testament to human perseverance and ingenuity, these artists used inexpensive materials like Upson Board and crown molding to quickly produce striking depictions of Florida's landscapes, often selling their pieces straight out of car trunks along the state's highways. The exhibit's timeline started to materialize in early 2020. Still, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed these plans, leading up to the grand unveiling this year during Black History Month, detailed by the Orange County newsroom in a statement from Dawn R. Knight, the Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Public Arts Coordinator. "The display pays tribute to the resilience and legacy of the artists who represent an important part of Florida history," Knight highlighted.
With this exhibit in West Building Hall D lobby, the Orange County Convention Center not only lauds the artistic merit of these painters but also underscores a crucial narrative about race, resistance, and economic independence in American history. Mayor Jerry L. Demings and other dignitaries were present during the February unveiling, signifying this initiative's historical importance and communal support. The legacy of the Florida Highwaymen, once sold out of the backs of cars, is now enshrined within one of the state's most traversed venues, accessible for all to see.
