By: Fred Taylor
As seen in The Antique Shoppe Newspaper, June, 2005

This small part of the exhibit shows a few examples of work by Mary Ann Carroll and Harold Newton

Geoff Cook shows off part of his collection in the traveling exhibit.

Part of Willie Regan's work is displayed on the second floor of the Old Courthouse

(All photos by Fred Taylor)

Geoff Cook of Apopka became interested in the art of the Florida Highwaymen in 1995 after reading an article by Jeff Klinkenberg in a St. Petersburg newspaper. He decided he wanted to own at least one painting of each type, sunset, river scene, seascape, etc. by each original member of the Highwaymen. Today he owns over 300 examples and he likes to show them off. In the summer of 2002 he made an arrangement with the Orange County Regional History Center to let some of his collection hit the road in the form of a traveling exhibit. Normally between 60 and 70 pieces of his collection travel in the exhibit.

      Over 28,000 people have visited the free exhibit since its inception with more than 5,000 in attendance in just the last three months in Homestead, Ft. Myers and Tallahassee.

      The exhibit was displayed in Inverness at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum for most of the month of April, highlighted by the appearances of Highwaymen James Gibson, Robert Lewis, Isaac Knight, Willie Reagan, Roy McLendon and Mary Ann Carroll on Saturday April 16. A number of elementary and middle school classes had field trips to the Museum for the exhibit.

      The artists proudly exhibited and sold new and old works, chatted with fans and signed autographs. From Inverness the exhibit was headed to Jacksonville. For more information visit Geoff Cook's website at http://floridahighwaymen.com/viewgallery.php3?gallery_id=11 or contact the History Center at (407) 836-8591.

James Gibson is setting up his work in the lobby of the Old Courthouse in Inverness.

Roy McClendon signs an autograph for a fan.

Antique Shoppe rep Gail Taylor gets an autograph from Robert Lewis.