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Curtis Arnett (1950- )

Curtis Arnett, born in 1950 in Greenville, Florida, is celebrated as one of the youngest members of the Florida Highwaymen, a group of African-American artists renowned for their vivid landscape paintings. Arnett's family moved to Fort Pierce when he was five years old, where he grew up surrounded by the natural beauty that would later inspire his art. His passion for painting began early, sparked by a watercolor set he received from his mother when he was seven. This early interest was further nurtured by his encounters with established artists like A.E. "Bean" Backus and Alfred Hair, who provided him with guidance and materials.

Arnett's artistic journey took off in his teenage years. By the age of 16, he had sold his first painting, and by 17, he was traveling along Florida's highways, selling his works to businesses and offices.
His early paintings featured the quintessential tropical scenes of the Highwaymen, but over time, he expanded his repertoire to include more diverse landscapes of central Florida, such as swamps and seascapes. Influenced by fellow Highwaymen artists like Hezekiah Baker and Robert Butler, Arnett honed his technique and transitioned from oil paints to acrylics in the 1970s, a change that significantly increased the value of his work.
Today, Curtis Arnett is recognized not only for his contributions to the Highwaymen legacy but also for his continued influence in the art world. Inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004, he remains an active painter and a sought-after speaker and teacher. His works, characterized by their depiction of Florida's enchanting landscapes, continue to captivate audiences and preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Highwaymen.