Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Exploring Florida Highwaymen Art-A Creative Lesson for Middle School Art

The Florida Highwaymen, a group of African American artists, made a significant mark on American art history with their vibrant and captivating landscapes. Their unique style, born out of necessity and creativity, brought to life the beauty of Florida during the mid-20th century. Today, their legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike. In this blog post, we'll delve into an engaging art lesson designed for middle school students to explore the world of the Florida Highwaymen, discovering who they were and creating their own landscapes using the elements and principles of art vocabulary.

Who are the Florida Highwaymen? The Florida Highwaymen were a collective of African American artists, initially self-taught and predominantly from the Fort Pierce area of Florida. In the 1950s and 1960s, during a time of racial segregation and limited opportunities for African American artists, they began painting and selling their artwork. Their unique approach to art involved creating vibrant landscapes that depicted Florida's natural beauty, often featuring striking sunsets, serene rivers, and iconic palm trees. What set them apart was their ability to capture the essence of Florida through bold colors, loose brushstrokes, and a deep connection to their surroundings.

Landscapes Using Elements and Principles of Art Vocabulary:

Elements of Art:

  1. Line and Shape: The Highwaymen used bold, sweeping lines for trees and rivers, and organic shapes to represent nature. Students will experiment with creating similar lines and shapes in their landscapes.
  2. Color and Value: Vibrant colors and contrasting values brought depth to Highwaymen paintings. Middle schoolers will explore bold colors and shading techniques to emulate this effect.
  3. Texture and Form: Texture played a crucial role in their artwork. Students will experiment with various painting techniques to create textures like rippling water and foliage.

Principles of Art:

  1. Composition: Emphasize focal points and balanced compositions. Students will plan their artworks considering these principles, learning how to guide the viewer's eye.

Lesson Activities:

  • Observation and Discussion: Introduce students to Highwaymen paintings, discussing elements and techniques.
  • Elements of Art Activity: Engage students in hands-on activities to explore lines, shapes, colors, values, textures, and forms in their own paintings.
  • Principles of Art Discussion: Guide discussions on the importance of composition and encourage students to plan their compositions.
  • Creation of Artwork: Provide materials and let students create their own Florida landscapes, applying what they've learned. 





Conclusion: Through this engaging art lesson, middle school students get an immersive experience into the world of the Florida Highwaymen. By understanding who they were and how they created their iconic landscapes, students not only learn art techniques but also gain insight into the historical and cultural significance of these artists. The lesson fosters creativity, appreciation for art, and a deeper understanding of the elements and principles that bring landscapes to life. As students proudly display their Florida Highwaymen-inspired artworks, they carry forward the legacy of these remarkable artists into the future.

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