Orange County, FL – Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Orange County Convention Center, today announced an Opening Reception for the new, permanent collection of artwork from the Highwaymen Collection. The reception is set for Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the West Building of the Convention Center, and the public is invited to this FREE event.
Since its inception in 1983, the Orange County Convention Center has emerged as a leader in the meetings and events industry and has developed an impressive art collection that highlights creators from various disciplines who share a common focus on Florida’s rich flora and fauna. This initiative aims to preserve both the art and history of the Highwaymen while sharing these remarkable artworks with visitors from around the world.
WHAT:
Opening Reception for Orange County Convention Center’s Highwaymen Collection permanent art display
WHEN:
Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. – Program begins at 5:45 p.m.
WHERE:
Orange County Convention Center, West Building
9800 International Dr., Orlando, FL 32819
HOW:
Reserve your free tickets today!
RSVP here:
Orange County Convention Center’s “Highwaymen Collection”
Opening Event Tickets
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM | Eventbrite
About the Highwaymen:
The Highwaymen, also referred to as the Florida Highwaymen, is a group of 26 African American landscape artists in Florida who overcame numerous racial and cultural challenges. The Highwaymen were mostly self-taught painters, who mentored each other. Originating from the Fort Pierce area, they painted landscapes and made a living selling them door-to-door to businesses and individuals throughout Florida from the mid-1950s through the 1980s. They sold them in towns and cities and along roadsides throughout Florida, often still wet, out of the trunks of their cars.
This permanent artwork collection was first conceived in 2020, but due to the pandemic had to be delayed.
About Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Office: The mission of Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs Office is to elevate Central Florida’s arts and culture to that befitting a diverse, world-class community.
About the Orange County Convention Center:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center provides approximately $3.9 billion in economic impact to Central Florida annually. In recent years, the Convention Center has averaged nearly 200 events, including 115 conventions and tradeshows that attract more than 1.5 million attendees to the region each year. For more information about the Orange County Convention Center, visit www.occc.net.
About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.