The Florida Highwaymen Artists return to Mount Dora on January 9th, 2010.

4^th Mount Dora Florida Highwaymen Art Show & Sale

January 9^th, 2010

Donnelly Park - Mount Dora

MOUNT DORA, FL:  Florida’s historic artists, known as The Florida Highwaymen, will be returning to picturesque Mount Dora for the 4^th HIGHWAYMEN ART Show and Sale, January 8 & 9, 2010.

On Saturday, January 9^th, the popular Highwaymen artists will display and sell their art work from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Inside and Outside of the Donnelly Building in Donnelly Park, located in the center of Mount Dora.  Visitors can enjoy the scenic renderings of Florida’s landscape expressed in the Classic Highwaymen art style.  Participating in this event will be original Highwaymen Mary Ann Carroll, the only female in the group, Al Black, James Gibson, Isaac Knight, Robert Lewis and Roy McLendon… with OTHERS to be announced soon.  Admission, as before, is FREE!!

Friday, January 8^th, the evening prior to the Main Saturday event, the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce will host a ‘Meet and Greet’ the Artists between 6 and 8 p.m. at the Chamber’s Historic Train Station. Many vintage Highwaymen paintings will be on exhibit. Refreshments and light appetizers will be served. Admission is FREE… and ALL are invited to attend!!

2010 is also Mount Dora’s Centennial. After the GALA New Year’s weekend begins the Year Long Celebration… the Highwaymen Event will continue the festivities the following weekend!!

In the 1950s, the Highwaymen artists were a group of young black men from the Fort Pierce area. The late Alfred Hair and the late Harold Newton were considered the leaders of the group, studying under Backus and bringing their new-found talent back to the group.  The art work, painted on an inexpensive construction material known as upson board, displayed traditional Florida scenes of palm trees, royal poinciana trees, and river vistas.  From there, the artists would travel with their paintings along U.S. 1 and other Florida roadways, selling them from the trunks of their cars.  It wasn’t until the 1990s that the group was labeled The Highwaymen. 

Currently, sponsors for this Winter Art Event include:  The Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce, the City of Mount Dora, and Heron Cay Lakeview Bed & Breakfast. Margie Salyer and Randy Burgener are coordinating this Winter Highwaymen Show and Sale.

For additional information, please contact randy@heroncay.com or by calling (352) 383-4050 or Toll Free at 1-888-437-6622.. For Lodging information visit Heron Cay Lakeview Bed and Breakfast website at www.heroncay.com.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Highwaymen art will be donated to the Restoration Fund for the Historic Mount Dora Train Station, the Home of the Chamber of Commerce.