The romantic landscapes of Florida Highwaymen return

Florida landscape by A.E. Backus (not in exhibition at FAU)

The glory of Florida landscapes is back again in the work of the Florida Highwaymen--and the teacher who inspired them, A.E. Backus (Shown below). You can see a selection of their work, along with a great selection of A.E. Backs --at Florida Atlantic University's Ritter Gallery starting September 16. The Florida Highwaymen were African American artists who avoided working in the fields of South Florida in the 1960s by selling their landscape art to tourists, hotels, and restaurants. The market for art was booming due to the influx of people into the state after WWII. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of academic lectures--plus an artists' panel--that will discuss both the artwork these artists, the influence of A.E. BAckus, and the conditions of Jim Crow Florida at the time.  To find out more, read my article in the September PalmBeachArts Paper.
palmbeachartspaper.com/fau-exhibit-to-feature-art-of-the-florida-highwaymen-their-teacher/ 

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