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Mary Ann Carroll (1940-2019)
Mary Ann Carroll (1940-2019) was a pioneering figure among the group of African-American artists known as the Florida Highwaymen. As the only female in this collective, she faced significant obstacles yet emerged as a tenacious force driven by grit, determination, and unwavering faith in God. Born in Georgia to sharecropper parents, Mary Ann moved to Fort Pierce, Florida, shortly after World War II. Her life took a pivotal turn at the age of 16 when she met Harold Newton, the first Highwayman painter. Captivated by his flame-painted car and his artistic talent, she learned about painting and was inspired to pursue her own artistic career.
Under Newton's mentorship, Mary Ann quickly honed her skills, selling her first painting at just 18 years old -a remarkable achievement for a young Black woman in the South at the time. As she became more involved with the Highwaymen, she began driving her fellow artists to sell their works, which provided her with a sense of belonging within the group. Despite the financial challenges of her early life-her husband earned only $30 a week while she sold her paintings for $70—Mary Ann's passion for art propelled her forward, and she never stopped painting.
Throughout her journey, Mary Ann maintained a deep faith in God, which served as her anchor during difficult times. She often attributed her resilience to the wisdom and strength she believed God had granted her. For her, painting was not just a profession but a deeply spiritual experience, allowing her to celebrate the beauty of nature as a form of praise and gratitude. Even after a painful divorce that left her as a single mother of seven, Mary Ann found solace and purpose in her art, dedicating long nights to painting and days to selling her work while ensuring her children were cared for.
In the 1990s, the Highwaymen gained newfound recognition, bringing Mary Ann's talent into the spotlight. Her contributions were later celebrated when she was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004.
