MOUNT DORA, Fla., Aug. 5, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Six members of the Florida Highwaymen art movement will travel to Mount Dora to showcase and sell original works of art. 'The Highwaymen: Florida's Original Outsider Artists' exhibit will be presented by the Mount Dora Lodging Association, Inc. This free, one-day showing will be held Saturday, August 23rd, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Donnelly Park Pavilion, located on the corner of 5th Avenue and Donnelly Street, downtown.
Featured artists include Al Black, Mary Ann Caroll, James Gibson, Issac Knight, Robert "R.L." Lewis, and Roy McLendon, each of whom were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004. From the early 1950s through the 1980s, this exclusive group of largely self-taught artists often painted in garages and workshops on makeshift canvasses. The 26 artists affiliated with The Highwayman style sold their paintings primarily from car trunks along lonesome highways, their scenic renderings revealing tranquil Florida landscapes that highlighted a pristine paradise filled with swaying palm trees, stunning sunsets, and rolling seascapes. In the 1990s their works gained the attention of museum curators and private collectors who soon ranked them among the nation's most coveted works of art.
"This is an incredible opportunity for art lovers and students of Florida history to meet these gifted artists," enthuses John Cataldo, president of the Mount Dora Lodging Association, Inc. "This is living history. They'll be here to share stories and explain the evolution and nuances of their art.
"As innkeepers," adds Cataldo, "hosting an exhibition of the Highwaymen's works reflects the combined passions of our members: historic preservation, art, culture, and community."
For a sneak preview, a private collection of the works of Highwayman Geoff Cook will be on display at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts at 138 East 5th Avenue. The exhibition runs for three weeks beginning August 1st.
A portion of the proceeds from the group show will be donated to the Historic Mount Dora Community Building restoration project. For more information on this special exhibition, visit www.mountdoraArt.com, or call (352) 735-3110.