Recognizing Jim Fitch
“It’s All about Florida.”
I reached out to Jim Fitch early
in 1997, soon after beginning my
research for The Highwaymen:
Florida’s African-American
Landscape Painters. Jim, I knew,
coined the term “The Highwaymen.”
His dubbing was tantamount to
a proprietary claim then, when
next to nothing was known about
these artists and even less was
understood about their art. I did
not want to trespass. Though I
wasn’t looking for his permission
to continue my research, I wanted
Jim to know my plans, and that I
came in peace, on friendly terms.
So I called, we met in his hometown
of Sebring, and I asked him if
my work would cause him any
discomfort. His reply was classic
Jim Fitch. He was gracious when
he said, and this is rather close to
verbatim, “No, not at all. I have the
heart of a merchant.” He explained
that his primary interest was about
how these artists fit into “Florida’s
contemporary art tradition.” I
also sensed that how the painters
marketed their artwork fit into his
thinking about the art world. That
feeling was telling; my interest
complemented his.
I enjoyed Jim and his
generous spirit and I felt that
I had something better than
permission–I had his blessing.
Before getting carried away on this
sentiment, something occurred
to me–he was relieved. When he
passed the torch to me, I noticed a
slight smirk on his face. Of course,
at that time, he knew more than
I and everyone else about the
Highwaymen. I came to understand
that it wasn’t quite his blessing I
was receiving.
by Gary Monroe
42
Willie Reagan