Kayli Miller
In Motion Staff Writer
Over 100 people attended the Daytona State College Foundation’s Wisdom in Senior Education kickoff event late September where Floridian artist R.L. Lewis showcased his talents at the Mori Hosseini Center.
“Highwaymen” was the nickname given to a group of 26 African-American artists who used skillful techniques to produce an estimated 125,000-200,000 Floridian landscape paintings during the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Although many mistakenly believe the art was sold to individuals, that was not the case, said Lewis’s son during his presentation. His son, R.L. Lewis III, often accompanies his elderly father on talks and is president of the company that bears his father’s name.
In fact, the artists would sell their work out of the trunks of their cars for around $25 a piece to various businesses, such as banks and hotels, throughout Central Florida along Interstate-95 and A1A.
Lewis was introduced to the audience by Senior DSC professor Gary Monroe, whose research of the Highwaymen — a term coined by a curator named Jim Fitch — was instrumental in bringing the artists together after years of obscurity. Monroe’s best-selling book of the same name, not only brought a high level of new recognition to the group, but also resulted in the price of the old paintings going through the ceiling.
Most of the artists made a comfortable living until the 1980s when they stopped painting because consumer demand dropped. The original Highwaymen paintings were done on construction board because it was affordable. Canvas was expensive and fighting racial barriers is hard on the pocketbook. Monroe’s new research, however, shed light on the subject, increased awareness and therefore consumer demand. Original paintings now sell for at least $1,000 and often more. All of the surviving artists have begun to paint again due to the publicity.
“I always said it was a haphazard blurt,” said R.L. Lewis when describing how he thought Fitch developed the nickname.
Lewis thought it probably went something like this: “He said, ‘What do you call these guys?’ Nobody wanted to see them and they weren’t allowed in the museums and galleries etc etc…. ‘Well they used to track the highways, we’ll call ‘em Highwaymen!’”
The story of the Florida Highwaymen illustrates the discrimination that persisted in the South even after segregation was supposedly abolished. Segregation prevented the Highwaymen paintings from being shown in galleries and museums, so they found their niche elsewhere.
With four years of research and two sets of tires, Monroe created the list of artists whose work can be considered Highwaymen art and authored four books on the subject. Why did he dedicate so much time and energy to the subject?
“I recognized that their paintings addressed the idea of Florida in a very fresh manner, intrigued by a back story of young African-American artists living in rural Florida who found their way out of the citrus groves and packing houses. In a sort of fairytale fashion they made tons of money and left a visual legacy of modern Florida, ” said Monroe.
R.L. Lewis is one of the 16 Florida Highwaymen who are still alive. All 26 artists were inducted into the Florida Artist Hall of Fame in 2004.
“To be able to start with a blank canvas and to, right in front of our eyes, create such depth, well it’s amazing.” said Betty McDermott, one of the attendees.
During the discussion, the elder Lewis stood in front of the crowd creating a new painting. Engaged, elated and enthusiastic local senior citizens marveled as Lewis quickly transformed a blank canvas into a vibrant Floridian landscape. Sweeping diagonals created movement, a blue and purple sunset danced across a body of calm water as distant palm trees swayed lightly in the wind. And all in about an hour.
The WISE program seeks to provide the local senior community with stimulating educational opportunities.
“We all live in our isolated little pods, this program makes us a part of the bigger community.” said McDermott.
Upcoming presentations include “My Travels to Cuba,” Oct. 6 with Ken Tubertini; “MOAS: Daytona’s Hidden Treasure,” Oct. 13, with Andrew Sandall; “Physics Make Cancer Easy to Understand,” Oct. 20, with Jeff LaCour; and “Advocating for the Child’s Best Interest,” Oct. 27, with Judy Evers.
Admission is for members only. You must be age 50 or older. Cost is $15 for individuals and $25 for couples for a membership through December. For more information on the WISE program call 386-506-4425 or visit DaytonaState.edu/Foundation