Page 6 - Martin Downs Bulletin - May '23

Page 6, Martin Downs

art happenings

Highwaymen – From The

Street Corner To The
Smithsonian

Rare Collection Of Artwork Now Featured At
The Elliott Museum
In the 1950s during
the Jim Crow days,
several African-
American self-taught
artis ts from the
Treasure Coast began
painting Florida’s vivid Carrie and Marshall Adams
landscapes, looking for
a better way to earn a The exhibit also showcases an
livelihood. Coined as extensive “Canvas Board Wall” of
the “Highwaymen,” the artists’ early works, including Sponsors Henry and Rachelle “Rocky” Grady, Carole Hauke, Jade Billard and
they traveled the Harold Newton, one of the founding Krystal Holley from the Law Offices of Travis Walker, P.A. Not available: Knight
highw ays , often members, along with a Tribute Wall and Ann Kiplinger and the Kiplinger Family Foundation
stopping to sell their to Roy McLendon, who was inspired
art out of their car by Newton, his neighbor. During the opening weekend of • Painting and selling landscape art was an escape from
trunks, which led to Schumetta McLendon and Lois March 10, McLendon and his son, Roy McLendon, Jr., also a working laborious jobs in factories and field work.
their nickname. Today, Watson Highwaymen artist, engaged in live painting demonstrations. • The Highwaymen painted Florida landscapes scenes
Highwaymen paintings The Elliott also hosted a 91st birthday celebration for the in an hour or less, often selling the oil paintings before
have deservedly earned a place to hang in the Smithsonian, elder McLendon, who turned 91 on March 23. they were dry.
and all 26 of the Highwaymen artists are represented in the The exhibit is generously sponsored by The Kiplinger • They made their own frames fashioned out of crown
Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Family Foundation, Henry and Rachelle (Rocky) Grady, molding painted with house paint and highlighted with
Through July 14 the Elliott Museum is proudly displaying Bill and Carole Hauke, The Law Offices of Travis gold paint.
“Highwaymen – From the Street Corner to the Smithsonian,” R. Walker, P.A., and the Florida Department of State • There were 26 original Highwaymen and only one
a rare collection of paintings that have never been exhibited Division of Cultural Affairs. female artist: Mary Ann Carroll.
together. While many of their paintings focus on well-known Highwaymen Fun Facts • The Highwaymen sold paintings themselves or hired
Florida landscapes, some of them tell a story as they depict • The Highwaymen’s unique tools consisted of oils, salesmen to sell them to banks, motels, doctors and
people from the 1950s era, animals and intimate vistas. tree trunk easel, Upson board and their car trunks. lawyers’ offices, restaurants, businesses and the general
public throughout Florida. They usually charged $25 to
$35 per painting. Some paintings today sell for tens of
thousands of dollars.
• Interest in their landscape art escalated when Jim
Fitch coined the name “Highwaymen” in 1995.
• It is estimated the Highwaymen have painted and
sold more than 200,000 paintings.
About The Historical Society Of Martin County
Since 1955, the Historical Society of Martin County
has served as a guardian of local history and a cultural
center by operating the Elliott Museum and the House
of Refuge Museum at Gilbert’s Bar, which opened in
1876 and served as a haven for shipwrecked survivors.
The Elliott Museum, located at 825 N.E. Ocean Blvd.
Pattama Lightle and Steve Carr in front of Backcountry Oak in Stuart, seeks to preserve and celebrate the region’s
by W. Daniels colorful history by presenting an eclectic mix of traveling
and rotating permanent exhibits, lectures and experiential
events. The House of Refuge’s mission is to educate
the public about the historical significance of Martin
County’s iconic landmark and to ensure its historical
integrity and preservation. For more information, go
online to www.hsmc-fl.com or call (772) 225-1961.

Standing: volunteers Bill Michaud and Donna Roselli. Photos of the Highwaymen Opening Reception
Seated: Linda Ryan and Carolyn Michaud at the Elliott Museum by Doreen Poreba

Sarah Woods, Lori Hass and Debbie Duvall

Why Pay More To Sell?

Even with 23 years of Seated: Roy McLendon, one of just seven original
experience, my fees Highwaymen remaining, and his grandson (left) Mishuel Roy McLendon did a live painting demonstration during the
are still low McLendon and son, Roy McLendon, Jr. opening weekend.

SELL YOUR HOME
Using the latest and most advanced
marketing technologies

Call Jim at

772-341-2941

Jim Weix, Broker Associate
309 SE Osceola St., Suite 204, Stuart
Edithy Marcellis and Deena Rahill Widget Webert, Sally Brodie and Trish Repass