Meet the Artist — Al Black

Lilu's Arts and Antiques presents a "Meet the Artist" event featuring Florida Highwaymen painter, Al Black, on October 20, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. One of the original 26 Florida Highwaymen, Al is known for his captivating art, compelling story, and his role in Black History and Culture.

In 2011, NPR conducted an interview with Al Black to explore his art journey. Having moved to Florida, Black initially began his career as a salesman representing the Highwaymen. During his time as a salesman, Black repaired damaged paintings by blending paints to give necessary touch-ups to the pieces. Over time, this experience nurtured his artistic side, leading him to craft his own landscape paintings.

Lilu's Arts and Antiques invites guests to meet Mr. Black and ask questions about his iconic work as he signs artwork and books at the downtown gallery.

Admission: Free

When: Friday, October 20, 2023 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Lilu's Arts and Antiques at 82 Charlotte Street in Historic Downtown.

About the Florida Highwaymen: The Florida Highwaymen painters are a group of African American landscape artists from Fort Pierce, Florida. Known for their distinctive style of painting, their work is characterized by bright, vivid colors, capturing the beauty of Florida's beaches, swamps, trees, and sunsets. These 26 artists were most active during the 1950s through the 1980s, a period significantly marked by racial segregation and discrimination. Many of the artists were self-taught and have encouraged subsequent generations of artists by challenging racial barriers and earning permanent exhibits at the Smithsonian and induction into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. 

Learn more about Al Black and the Florida Highwaymen painters here.