The Florida Highwaymen Art Movement: The Florida Highwaymen are a group of well-known African-American landscape artists of the 1950s, and 60s. The contributions of the young men, and one woman led to one of the most significant art movements in Florida, and America's history. A few of the most famous leaders and legends are Alfred Hair, Harold Newton, Roy McLendon, Livingston Roberts, James Gibson, Sam Newton, Mary Ann Carroll, Willie, and Johnny Daniels, Al Black, and the sales crew are historians and scholars of their time. The young men pioneered the early art movement, amid systemic racism. The Jim Crow era of segregation journeyed difficult times for the legends in the deep south.

It was out of necessity when twenty-six innovators evolved, all were in search of a better life, than picking oranges which could not keep food on kitchen tables. Their origination was mainly the historic Lincoln Park neighborhood, in the city of Fort Pierce, Florida. Some resided out of Vero Beach and surrounding areas of Florida's Treasure Coast. With no formal training, the self-taught group created makeshift materials and taught one another to paint, Florida's serene landscapes.

During the racial tones of the Jim Crow South museums and galleries would not showcase the work of these black artists. Florida's highways of A1A and by-ways of US 1, was the old stomping grounds, where twenty-six painters who were of equal importance to the movement, made ends meet. As tourists visited the sunshine state and the locals lived, vacationers encountered the future legends of the road, along the side of the road. The trunks of their cars revealed a majestic timeless Florida. Oil paintings that sold then, for $25 or $35 dollars, are now among the most well received nostalgic national treasures of all times.

It was out of necessity when the men traded goods for services. A motel room to lay their head, or for gas to make it home at night. Doctors, and lawyers, banks and politicians, folks near, and far, purchased and collected their work. During their heyday, the 1950s-1980s the group captured the state of Florida and it is said, documented over 200,000 vivid colorful landscapes, and are still painting today.

The Florida Highwaymen is a name earned later in the mid-1990s, predominantly friends under one name, for the way the young entrepreneurs sold their paintings, door to door, along the highways and byways of Olde Florida. Today, over 60 years later, the Highwaymen continue the traditional art movement with friends, and family, under one name, as the 2nd generation.

The 2nd Generation was established in 1973: As the Original Highwaymen earned legendary fame, over decades the men were instrumental in forming the "Second Generation Movement." The iconic Florida landscape painters mentored close friends and family and handed down their name, history, and heritage to a selective hand-picked 2nd Generation.

Just as the Originals, blood and non-blood, the "Historic 2nd Generation Movement" began and helped to create some 200,000 landscapes. Over time, painting Florida and performing art shows together, became and continues to be a tradition for both groups. The generation after, typically twenty years younger, grew up during the same segregated times, keeps history alive as they continue to paint the state of Florida 1950s and 60s Civil Rights Era.

Highwaymen Handpicked: The 40-year veteran Highwaymen Johnny Daniels had no heirs that painted. During the late 90s, and over years, the legend Johnny Daniels is well-known for mentoring four men, and one woman AJ Brown. Johnny Daniels bestowed his heritage, and established five members of the 2nd generation. Daniels advanced the art careers of Johnny Stovall, Kelvin Hair, and AJ Brown as his business partners in both his Highwaymen Art Galleries, in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Johnny Daniels followed the steps of his colleagues, the Original Highwaymen, respective 1950s tradition. A.E. Backus taught Alfred Hair. Alfred Hair and Harold Newton taught friends and family. Not all twenty-six Original Highwaymen were blood-related, but together, under one name, and one accomplishment, all are historically written in history, as the Florida Highwaymen.

Early Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen James Gibson, a 50-year veteran has a legacy. In 2005, Gibson was the first to teach AJ Brown the history of the Highwaymen, and the painting techniques of the famous signature Red Royal Poinciana trees. After two years, and a demanding schedule, Gibson suggested she continue to paint with Johnny Daniels, and so she did.

The icons revealed stories of Highwaymen history, shared memories and myths, and tales of their past! Over the years, legends witnessed as AJ Brown was endorsed as a member and is historically the only female-friend among the "Historic 2nd Generation" group. What was once a common dynamic among the Original group, "friends" are an old 1950s tradition, and a female-friend is a rare find among both generations." Today, Brown refers to herself as the "Florida Highwaymen Historic Generation, and earns her living through sells of her work." Supported by four iconic early Originals, Brown's journey is one of uniqueness, she is a story untold. HONORED TO BE PART OF AMERICA’S HISTORY!

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY AND WOMEN'S HISTORY IN AMERICA

For over six decades, a half-century, twenty-six African-American entrepreneurs, came to be known as the Florida Highwaymen; a non-traditional informal group. In May 2009, it was historic when the very first 501(c)3 organization was formed and filed on June 24, 2009, under the name Florida Highwaymen Artist and History Center Inc., a name given by senior Original James Gibson. The goal was to open the first Highwaymen museum.

Original Highwaymen Mary Ann Carroll and First Lady held Presidency for the allotted two years. A position of power and influence designated for the "Originals" only. Curtis Arnett was elected as Vice President and Carnell Smith served as Treasurer. R.L. Lewis was elected Secretary, however, Mr. Lewis delegated this significant position to female Highwaymen 2nd Generation AJ Brown. Brown was officially appointed the first Secretary and served as one of five members on the By-Laws Committee. For the first time in history, the Originals, and the Historic 2nd Generation unified!

In November 2009, the Originals agreed to continue to preserve Florida’s Highwaymen art history and officially documented the 2nd Generation. As the first appointed secretary, AJ Brown recorded each member. It was unfortunate, the goal of the Highwaymen museum did not come to fruition. Over a lifetime the work of these black artists received recognition, both generations understood the necessity for Highwaymen history to continue. These historic facts marked a hallmark era in time.

Johnny Daniels bridged the 2nd Generation to the Originals: History holds a time when the 40-year veteran, established five Highwaymen, and was highly respected for his achievements. Jimmy and Johnny Stovall, Kelvin Hair, female AJ Brown, and Richard Edwards, are members of the 2nd Generation. Over years, Johnny Daniels mentored and partnered in business with Johnny, Kelvin, and AJ in two of his Highwaymen art galleries. Under the platform of Johnny Daniels, his original status, and seniority, his endorsements, and his accomplishments were rightfully sealed and honored his death.

Twenty-six originals united in one name, even when the majority were not blood-related. Like the Originals, the bridge of Johnny Daniels and his teaching's were united in one name, "the 2nd Generation." A legend of his time, Johnny Daniels died May 26, 2009. The memories of an American icon live on today.

The Hall of Fame Original Highwaymen, Willie Daniels continued to paint with AJ Brown. Daniels supported his brother's bridge and her journey as a 2nd Generation Highwayman. The Daniels mother died young leaving six siblings. The eldest sister Ms. Curley Daniels extended her role as their mother and her love for her family. On January 26, 2010, respectful of her youngest brother's legacy, and her affection for Brown, Ms. Curley Daniels, ordained AJ Brown as her Goddaughter. Ms. Daniels understood the family-like bond and business partnership. The common connection for Brown and Daniels was painting, Brown practiced as she watched Daniels.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY AND WOMEN'S HISTORY IN AMERICA

Johnny "Hook" Daniels is recognized on the Highwaymen Heritage Trail: In May of 2009, in the city of Fort Pierce, Florida, AJ Brown was authorized to construct the Johnny Daniels grave-site monument in Pine Grove Cemetery. Brown was selected by his beneficiary Ms. Curley Daniels and commissioned by Cultural Affairs Manager Jody Bonet. Brown offers a significant history and story about Johnny Daniels and the "2nd Generation bridge" he mentored to the Original generation.

Authentic Florida: AJ Brown's family roots began in Tallahassee Florida. Born in Virginia, raised in the deep south of OverTown Miami, Brown's resides in Fort Pierce, Florida. Brown is from a long line of soldiers, warriors for their country, her family has historically devoted a lifetime of service and sacrifices to the brotherhood of the United States of America Military Services.

TO THOSE WHO LOSS THEIR LIVES, A HERO IS REMEMBERED!

Highwaymen History Lives On! The United States of America; Highest Office of the Land; December 25, 2014, amid an official "Military Meet and Greet" AJ Brown met with the 44th President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama. AJ Brown hands down two of her paintings and later a collection of Original and the Historic 2nd Generation Highwaymen art to the "First Family White House private collection."

What's New? The History You Don't Know: An open invitation to this site is welcomed; to discover unknown history. This site serves to honor, respect, and unify; enlighten and open minds and hearts to the past, present, and future of the African American group. The Florida Highwaymen Historic 2nd Generation legends continue to pave the movement and a road for future generations. Thank you, America for investing and treating Highwaymen's History of all generations as worthy.

Highwaywomen of Fort Pierce, Florida: Mary Ann Carroll, is the first and only Original Highwaywoman, (deceased). Diane Roberts (hiatus), AJ Brown (active), and Doretha Hair (active). For more than a decade AJ Brown was the only female Highwayman artist without an online presence. She shares her history and story, voice and character, her truth, and her contributions as a member of the Florida Highwaymen Art History.