A.E. Backus Museum marks its 65th season
The A.E. Backus Museum announced the exhibitions and events scheduled for its 65th Season, opening in October 2025. Now in its seventh decade, the Museum continues its mission to promote the arts in the community and honor the artistic and humanitarian legacy of our namesake artist, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906–1990). This year’s dynamic lineup of exhibitions and events reflects and deepens that enduring purpose.
This season, the Museum renews its longstanding tradition of annual juried exhibitions, celebrating and elevating the caliber of local artistic talent while enriching the cultural life of our region. The Best of the Best invites amateur and professional fine artists to submit their finest work for display in October, competing for awards and cash prizes. Closing the season in May, Through the Eye of the Camera showcases outstanding examples of photographic artistry, also recognized with awards and cash prizes.
Along with the juried exhibitions, the Museum will present three special exhibitions that expand its offerings. Glory in Glass celebrates the luminous artistry of the Conrad Pickel Studio, whose stained glass works fuse old-world craftsmanship with modern innovation. Florida Highwaymen: Journey revisits the iconic group’s vivid landscapes and archetypal scenes, showcasing rare and never-before-seen paintings that reflect their enduring legacy. Collage Mirage features Derek Gores’ energetic, layered compositions made from magazines, maps, data, and more, all recycled materials, inviting viewers into a playful and thought-provoking visual experience.
The Museum’s 65th Season events include: The Floridiana Luncheon & Auction, which celebrates “All Things Florida;” and Jazz Brunch @ The Backus, where we will welcome friends old and new for a morning musical brunch al fresco in the spirit of Backus. The Museum’s Win a Masterpiece of Florida Art raffle ticket will be drawn that day when one lucky individual may go home with the original painting Rio Mar, 2024 by Sam Newton, Original Highwaymen Artist.
The Best of the Best Annual Juried Exhibition
- October 5 – November 14, 2025 This premier artists’ exhibition of the region offers the finest examples of creative excellence, artistic skill, and unrivaled imagination from amateurs and professionals in a wide variety of media including painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, and much more. Entries accepted by advance appointment Sep 3 – 26; see Prospectus available Aug 4 for details. Opening Reception – Saturday, October 4, 6:00-8:00 pm | Remarks: 6:30 pm
Glory in Glass: The Conrad Pickel Studio
- November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026 Since 1947, the Conrad Pickel Studio has contributed a dazzling fusion of old world craftsmanship and new world innovation to the resplendent and enduring traditions of stained glass. Created from the finest mouthblown antique glass, their leaded stained glass windows for religious, secular, and public projects throughout North America embody the art and science of light. This new exhibition of luminous studio work presents examples of process and pièces de résistance, and highlights a shining artistic treasure of the region. Opening Reception – Friday, December 5, 6:00-8:00 pm | Remarks: 6:30 pm
Florida Highwaymen: Journey
- January 9 – March 1, 2026 With vibrant color, irresistible charm, and a drive to survive, these acclaimed artists overcame many obstacles on their long road to triumph. Journey unveils rare or never-before seen paintings that examine their storied creative tradition through its rich and varied subjects. Revisiting the scenic categories first described in 2009’s The Journey of the Highwaymen, this new exhibition examines the archetypal patterns the group employed and endlessly combined to majestic and stunning effect. Primed with these and a refining eye, the Highwaymen captured – in the moment and now for the ages – the natural beauty of the landscape in bold and rapid masterworks. Opening Reception – Friday, January 16, 6:00-8:00 pm | Remarks: 6:30 pm
Don’t miss the HIGHWAYMEN CELEBRATION WEEKEND
- February 13-14-15, 2026 www.BackusMuseum.org/celebration
Collage Mirage: The Art of Derek Gores
- March 6 – April 26, 2026 The visual language of Derek Gores is expressed in energetic and lush compositions of magazines, maps, data, and more, all recycled into striking and ingenious imagery on canvas. Balancing precision and playfulness, Gores assembles, layers, and remixes both images and meaning with an eye for dynamic impact and clever wit. With every scrap and detail creating a fresh and new context, each work invites discovery and offers a novel perspective on our very visual world. Opening Reception – Friday, March 13, 6:00-8:00 pm | Remarks: 6:30 pm
Through the Eye of the Camera Annual Juried Exhibition
- May 15 – June 19, 2026 Amateur and professional artists whose creative medium is digital and traditional photography display their best examples of Flora & Landscape, Animals, People/Portraits, and Open subjects in this perennial favorite regional survey. Entries accepted by advance appointment Apr 15 – May 8; see Prospectus available Mar 16 for details. Opening Reception – Friday, May 15, 6:00-8:00 pm | Remarks: 6:30 pm
- Sun., Jan., 25, 2026 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – The Floridiana Auction & Luncheon Our Winter Signature Event brings this celebration of “All Things Florida” to the Pelican Yacht Club again this season. Attendees will enjoy the rousing auction of unique experiences and items, an enticing menu of Florida-themed enchantments to relish, live music and the dramatic setting on the picturesque edge of the Indian River Lagoon. Your party with a purpose benefits the work of the Backus Museum. Reserve your seats starting Dec 3!
- Sun., March 22, 2026, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jazz Brunch @ The Backus and Win a Masterpiece of Florida Art Raffle When spring starts to bloom, start looking for your favorite signature event on the Plaza! Our live jazz concert is the perfect accompaniment for this morning brunch of festive and savory fare. The crowd blossoms at 12 noon to take in the annual raffle drawing to Win a Masterpiece of Florida Art — there’s a lucky winner out there, will it be you? Get your seats and buy your tickets all in advance to find out. Your party with a purpose benefits the work of the Backus Museum. Event seats available Jan 28!
Get your raffle tickets online or in-person before they’re gone!
ALL DATES AND PROGRAMMING SUBJECT TO CHANGE; PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR ANY UPDATES OR CANCELLATIONS.
About the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery
Since its founding in 1960 and the first day the doors opened in 1961, the A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery has been a center and catalyst for creativity and culture in our region. The Museum houses the nation’s largest public presentation of artwork by Florida’s preeminent painter, A.E. “Bean” Backus (1906-1990), and also continues its more than sixty-year tradition of exhibiting and celebrating the paintings of the original Florida Highwaymen, who got their start here. In addition, the Museum organizes and hosts changing exhibitions from artists of regional, national and international acclaim. The Backus Museum was recognized as the 2025 & 2022 Best of the Best Community Choice Award for Best Art Gallery; 2024 Best Art Gallery by Hometown News; and the 2021 Best Tourist Attraction – 2018 Best Museum / Best of the Treasure Coast by the readers of Indian River Magazine.
Schedule: Preseason Hours September 3-26: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM; Sunday, 12 Noon to 4 PM (We are temporarily closed for installation September 27 – October 4, 2025). Regular Hours beginning October 5: Wednesday – Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM; Sunday, 12 Noon to 4 PM. Admission is $5 per person; AARP, AAA, and Veterans with appropriate ID receive a $2 discount. Students with school ID, children under 18, active duty military, and current members are always free. Visitors are asked to follow the latest public health guidance for the safety and comfort of guests, staff, and volunteers.
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