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Sylvester Wells (1938-2023)
Sylvester Wells, born in 1938 in Jacksonville, Florida, was the fifth of ten children in a devoutly religious family. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in art, spending much of his childhood drawing and sketching. After graduating from high school, Wells joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in France, where he continued to hone his artistic skills. Upon returning to the United States, he settled in Cocoa, Florida, with his wife Consuela. It was here that he encountered Alfred Hair, a founding member of the Florida Highwaymen, who inspired him to pursue landscape painting.
Wells initially struggled with landscape painting, but with guidance from Harold and Sam Newton, he quickly improved. He adopted the Highwaymen's techniques, using Upson Board and crown molding frames to keep costs low. Wells became known for his vibrant depictions of Florida sunsets, palm trees, and ocean scenes, often selling his work door-to-door and along highways. His dedication to his craft and his ability to capture the beauty of Florida's landscapes earned him a place among the original 26 Florida Highwaymen.
In his later years, Wells shifted his focus to ministry, devoting much of his time to Bible study and preaching. Despite losing his sight to glaucoma, he remained a respected figure in the art community until he died in 2023. Wells' work is celebrated for its technical skill and emotional depth, with pieces like "Cracker Cabin" included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. His legacy continues to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts, reflecting his lifelong passion for both art and faith.