The Florida Highwaymen, mostly self-taught artists who sold their landscapes from the trunks of their cars in the 1950s and 60s, included one amazing and talented woman.
Mary Ann Carroll, the only woman of the twenty-six Original Highwaymen, once said: “'From my youth, I could draw anything I could see'” (History).
That talent eventually led to her recognition as “an icon on the Highwaymen Heritage Trail” (Carroll).
Since this group of Black artists were excluded from showing their work at art galleries, they traveled throughout southeast Florida and went door-to-door to sell their colorful impressionistic paintings—unique artwork unlike any others of the era.
Ms. Carroll, like the other twenty-five Highwaymen, “travelled across the state, selling her art at hotels, offices, and restaurants where she was not allowed to drink, eat, or even sit. If the Highwaymen faced discrimination at every door they knocked on, then the challenges--and dangers--were magnified for Carroll. She took pride in always having her pristine Buick gassed and ready to go and her small handgun cleaned and ready to use” (Florida).
As difficult as finding buyers must have been for a mother of seven children, Ms. Carroll’s artistic career provided a better income than working as a maid, nurse’s aide, or housepainter. Plus, when she wasn’t traveling, she could work from home.
When she was on the road, however, she managed to stay in touch with her children despite the lack of cell phones. She holds the distinction of being the first woman in the Fort Pierce CB (citizens band radio) Chapter. Her handle was Lady Heartbreaker #101, and she affectionately referred to her children as Baby Heartbreakers (Memorial).
The Highwaymen faded into obscurity during the 70s and 80s but enjoyed a resurgence in the mid-1990s when “Jim Fitch, a Florida art historian, and Jeff Klinkenberg, of the St. Petersburg Times, wrote several newspaper articles about the group whom Fitch dubbed ‘The Florida Highwaymen’ for their business of selling art door-to-door along US Highway 1” (Wikipedia).
The publicity renewed interest in the Highwaymen and increased the value of their paintings. Attics were searched and yard sales were scoured for forgotten Highwaymen artwork!
We learn this from the Florida Department of State (FDOS) website:
“Since the revival of interest in the Highwaymen, [Mary Ann Carroll’s] paintings are now in great demand. Her work is noted for her use of vivid colors. Besides being an accomplished painter, Carroll was a musician and gospel singer and could be found on Sundays preaching and singing at her own ministry in Fort Pierce.”
Quick Bio
Born ~ November 30, 1940 in Sandersville, Georgia
Parents ~ Lenora "Coot" Jones Pullen and B.W. Snead
Married ~ James Brady Carroll
Died ~ December 4, 2019
Buried ~ Pine Grove Cemetery, Fort Pierce, Florida
Important Dates
2004 ~ All 26 Florida Highwaymen were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.
May 2009 ~ Ms. Carroll was elected the first president of the Florida Highwaymen Artists and History Center.
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| Untitled Poinciana Tree |
May 2011 ~ As guest of honor at a prestigious First Lady’s Luncheon, Ms. Carroll presented an original poinciana tree painting to Michelle Obama.
February 2019 ~ Ms. Carroll was named as Florida's Featured Artist in Celebration of Black History Month by Casey DeSantis, Florida's First Lady.
March 2020 ~ The Florida Legislature honored the Florida Highwaymen by creating a specialty license plate.
Legacy
Ms. Carroll often referred to herself as "Queen of the Road." An annual exhibition of the Florida Highwaymen’s artwork is held at the A. E. Backus Gallery and Museum, Fort Pierce, Florida.
Tallahassee’s Museum of Florida has paintings by twenty-three of the original twenty-six artists in their collection.
Your Turn
Did you know about Mary Ann Carroll or the Florida Highwaymen before reading this post? Does their colorful style appeal to you? Which of these paintings would you want in your home?
Photo
Untitled Poinciana Tree; Oil on canvas, 2004; H: 29” W: 35”; Acquired from the artist in 2004; Collection of the Museum of Florida History. https://dos.fl.gov/historical/museums/historical-museums/united-connections/women-in-history/mary-ann-carroll/
Sources
Carroll ~ https://highwaymenajbrown.com/mary-ann-carroll/FDOS (Florida Department of State) ~ https://dos.fl.gov/historical/museums/historical-museums/united-connections/women-in-history/mary-ann-carroll
Florida ~ https://www.floridahighwaymenpaintings.com/highwaymen/mary-ann-carroll/
History (Orlando County Regional History Center) ~ https://www.thehistorycenter.org/mary-ann-carroll/
Hurd, Gordon K. (2019). “Alfred Hair: A charismatic businessman who created a movement for Florida’s black artists.” New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/obituaries/alfred-hair-overlooked.html
Memorial ~ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205398989/mary-ann-carroll
Thank you for posting today. I did not know about this group of artists. My favorite of the three you show is the second one that's more subtle in coloring. But the others are stunning.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this group. People sold many things door-to-door that they created back then all over the US. Her art is breathtaking. I am so glad that minorities get their place in art galleries and the like today. Thanks for sharing.
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