A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery - Fort Pierce (FL)

5 /5 A. Anter: Fantastic exhibition of Highwayman paintings. The twenty minute video gives a clear and concise explanation of the connections between artist A.E. "Bean" Backus and the Highwaymen painters. I did ask the staff to slightly dim the lighting in the large gallery because the glare of the lights interfered with the ability to fully appreciate the color blends . Whether you live in Florida or are just visiting, this exhibit will help anyone appreciate the artists who created lasting landscape paintings which depict the natural beauty of scenes that are being replaced by development. I will probably visit again before the exhibition ends.

5 /5 David Bjork: Fine small town art scene. This museum does a great service for all of St Lucie County. Thru Bean Backus efforts the Highwaymen continue to be an important segment of Ft. Pierces art history. Always visit this museum when your in town.

5 /5 Torch Reviews: A.E. Backus museum & gallery is a small, nostalgic art museum that displays the art of Fort Pierce native, A.E. Backus and the highwaymen. Backus was born in 1906 and is known for his realistic scenes of Florida. He is considered a pioneer of Florida landscape art, and inspired many other artist to emulate his work. Additionally, he played a significant role in teaching some of the artists that became known as the Florida highwaymen. The Florida Highwaymen were African-American artist who painted beautiful, unique and brightly colored untouched Florida landscape between the 1950s and 1980s. The museum is located in Fort Pierce, right off A1A and near the Indian River inlet and other tourist sites. The museum is little but very well laid out and beautifully kept. It has a art shop and the admission fee is only $5.00. AAA, seniors and vets receive a discount of 2.00 dollars. The staff is very cordial and provide a detailed explanation of Backus and his history. A wonderful place to visit if you love oil and canvas art of scenic Florida.

5 /5 Zak Myers: This was an excellent and endearing museum situated along the Indian River. Despite its quaint size, this museum packs a punch in terms of history, culture, and information. There was another art exhibit on display in tandem with the Backus gallery and the Highwaymen collective. Backus was referred to as the Dean of Florida Landscape Painting and was the catalyst for inspiration and training of the many members of the Highwaymen. This story hinges on confronting racial boundaries and embracing kindness, love, and inspiration. I’d say this is a must-do if you’re visiting Florida’s Treasure Coast. Notes: ➡️ Parking onsite is free in the nearby marina lot ➡️ No public restrooms are available. You must buy gallery/museum tickets to access the restroom. ➡️ Admission is $5 with $2 off admission discounts for AARP, AAA, Veterans with ID and those over 65. Free Admission for Current Members, Students with ID, Active Duty Military Personnel and Children under 18. ➡️ Lisa at the front desk was incredibly friendly and informative. She helped to make our experience at the museum special and added context to some of the questions we had as well.

4 /5 Kat: The museum is very small but does an excellent job highlighting the artwork displayed. The experience is enhanced by the jazz music playing in the background. Photography is not permitted in the galleries to protect copyright. Admission was $5 for adults, but a variety of discounts are offered for vets, seniors, aarp, etc. Theres plenty of parking, and the Manatee Center is on the other side of the lot. The museum store offered a good variety of handcrafted items, prints of Backus most popular paintings, books, cards, ornaments, et al. You can also walk along the waterfront in a park with a number of metal sculptures.