A. E. Backus Museum & Gallery

09/12/2026

Come See Old Florida in a New Light!

While we are gearing up for our 66th Season, we are open with PreSeason Hours to enjoy the incomparable beauty of our natural environment, as seen through the eyes of A.E. Backus and the Florida Highwaymen.

We house the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and continue our more than sixty-year tradition of exhibiting and celebrating the extraordinary paintings of the original Florida Highwaymen, who got their start here.

PreSeason Hours through Sep 25
Wed-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4
https://backusmuseum.org/

ℹ️ Traffic Notice: https://www.backusmuseum.org/traffic-notice
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A.E. Backus (1906-1990). "Old St. Lucie Village" (detail), c. 1948. Oil on canvas, 30 x 36 in. Gift in Memory of Winnie Harshbarger by the James W. Harshbarger Trust, 2025.B.1.OC.1

09/08/2026

🎨🖼️ | CALL TO ARTISTS — The A.E. Backus Museum announces the 45th Call to Artists for our annual juried art exhibition, "The Best of the Best!"

We are accepting submissions by advance appointments on Wednesdays–Sundays until 3:00 pm, through September 25, 2026. There is a $35 entry fee per work. Entries that are juried into the exhibition will contend for cash prizes and 1st-2nd-3rd place awards, with an overall "Best of Show" award.

View the full details, guidelines, dates, and FAQs, and download the Prospectus with application form at http://www.BackusMuseum.org/juried-shows.

ANSWER THE CALL — Make your plans to enter your BEST today!

09/06/2026

Come See Old Florida in a New Light!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 • FREE ADMISSION DAY! While we are gearing up for our 66th Season, we are open with PreSeason Hours to enjoy the incomparable beauty of our natural environment, as seen through the eyes of A.E. Backus and the Florida Highwaymen.

We house the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and continue our more than sixty-year tradition of exhibiting and celebrating the extraordinary paintings of the original Florida Highwaymen, who got their start here.

PreSeason Hours through Sep 25
Wed-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4
https://backusmuseum.org/

ℹ️ Traffic Notice: https://www.backusmuseum.org/traffic-notice
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James Gibson (1938-2017). "Poinciana by the River," 2017. Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in. Lightle Collection.

09/02/2026

FINAL 5 VIEWING DAYS! The A.E. Backus Museum is a Blue Star Museum, a sixteen-year collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums across the United States to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel and their families, starting on Armed Services Day, May 16, 2026 and continuing through Labor Day, September 7, 2026.

Blue Star Museums include art, science and history museums, children’s museums, zoos, gardens, lighthouses and more, and exist in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. At the Backus Museum, Blue Star families can enjoy access to the permanent collection and display of works by A.E. Backus and of the Florida Highwaymen painters during preseason hours.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps and up to five family members. To obtain free access, visit the front desk with relevant ID.

08/26/2026

⚙️ WE'RE GEARING UP FOR SEASON 66! Our Preseason Schedule:

📆 August 10 - September 1
Closed for annual maintenance

📆 September 2 - 25
Preseason Regular Hours
Entries Accepted for "Best of the Best"

📆 September 26 - October 3
Closed for installation

📆 October 3, 6-8 pm
Members Opening Reception for the 45th "Best of the Best"

📆 October 4
Free Admission Sunday
Regular Hours for the Season begin, Wed-Sat 10-4 / Sun 12-4

08/18/2026

History is Beautiful in Fort Pierce! World Atlas gives shout outs to some of the culture that makes our home special: A.E. Backus Museum, Sunrise Theatre, National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, Pineapple Playhouse & Downtown Fort Pierce Art Walk (there's more)!

Florida, known for its sunshine, boasts a rich history with St. Augustine, Native American culture, Civil War sites, and charming towns with historic attractions.

08/08/2026

FINAL WEEKEND! This small summer exhibition, drawn from the permanent collection with select loans and featuring paintings of Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Haiti, reminds us of the importance of what a little vacation can do for viewing the world with fresh eyes.

"Island Hopping" through Aug 9
Summer Hours: Sat 10a-4p, Sun 12-4p

🖼️ Also on Display: we house the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and continue our more than sixty-year tradition of exhibiting and celebrating the extraordinary paintings of the original Florida Highwaymen, who got their start here. https://www.backusmuseum.org/collections

ℹ️ Traffic Notice: https://www.backusmuseum.org/traffic-notice
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A.E. Backus (American, 1906-1990). "Royal Poinciana" (detail), c.1977. Oil on canvas, 20 x 24 in. Collection of A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery. 2001.B.2.OC.4

08/03/2026

🎨🖼️ | CALL TO ARTISTS — The A.E. Backus Museum announces the 45th Call to Artists for our annual juried art exhibition, "The Best of the Best!"

We are accepting submissions by advance appointments beginning September 2 on Wednesdays–Sundays until 3:00 pm, through September 25, 2026. There is a $35 entry fee per work. Entries that are juried into the exhibition will contend for cash prizes and 1st-2nd-3rd place awards, with an overall "Best of Show" award.

View the full details, guidelines, dates, and FAQs, and download the Prospectus with application form at http://www.BackusMuseum.org/juried-shows.

ANSWER THE CALL — Make your plans to enter your BEST today!

08/01/2026

A cool, quiet interlude might be just the thing! This small summer exhibition, drawn from the permanent collection with select loans and featuring paintings of Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Haiti, reminds us of the importance of what a little vacation can do for viewing the world with fresh eyes.

"Island Hopping" through Aug 9
Summer Hours: Sat 10a-4p, Sun 12-4p
Sunday is FREE ADMISSION!

🖼️ Also on Display: we house the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and continue our more than sixty-year tradition of exhibiting and celebrating the extraordinary paintings of the original Florida Highwaymen, who got their start here. https://www.backusmuseum.org/collections

ℹ️ Traffic Notice: https://www.backusmuseum.org/traffic-notice
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A.E. Backus (American, 1906-1990). "Jamaica Boatman" (detail), c.1970. Oil on canvas, 20 x 24 in. Collection of A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery. 2002.B.2.OC.3

07/25/2026

It might be time to reframe your surroundings! This small summer exhibition, drawn from the permanent collection with select loans and featuring paintings of Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Haiti, reminds us of the importance of what a little vacation can do for viewing the world with fresh eyes.

"Island Hopping" through Aug 9
Summer Hours: Sat 10a-4p, Sun 12-4p

🖼️ Also on Display: we house the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and continue our more than sixty-year tradition of exhibiting and celebrating the extraordinary paintings of the original Florida Highwaymen, who got their start here. https://www.backusmuseum.org/collections

ℹ️ Traffic Notice: https://www.backusmuseum.org/traffic-notice
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A.E. Backus (American, 1906-1990). "On the Road to Market" (detail), 1978. Oil on canvas, 16 x 12 in. Collection of A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery. 2001.B.2.OC.1