Woodson African American Museum of Florida
Preserve | Present | Interpret
The museum presents the historic voice of this St. Petersburg, Florida community from the perspective of local, regional, and national history, culture, and community. It is another demonstration of the commitment to revitalize the Midtown St. Petersburg area.
The museum joins Mercy Hospital at the Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center, the Royal Theater Boys and Girls Club, and the renovated Manhattan Casino as evidence of the renaissance of this area.
The Woodson's Annual Toy Drive
News
Florida Highwaymen legacy continues with exhibit at St. Pete museum
Oct 23, 2023
AXIOS Tampa Bay
Article by Kathryn Varn
Ray McLendon likes painting reflections best. He can play with them, blurring the lines and colors of a luminescent moon shining down on a bay, or a deep-orange sunset bleeding onto a lagoon.
Current Exhibit
Florida Highwaymen: The Next Generation – The Legacy Continues
When
September 2023 - December 2023
Where
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida
Admission
Free
What
Ray McLendon spent much of his childhood in Florida. Ray’s father, Roy McLendon was one of the original Florida Highwaymen.
As a young boy, Ray spent many summer days cutting crown molding and painting them to make them look like frames for his father’s artwork. Ray enjoyed his father’s work and would always go on the road with his father selling his paintings on the highway.
After graduating from Kutztown University with a B.A. in Social Work and moving back to Florida, Ray started painting after his father encouraged him. He has been painting the traditional Florida Highwaymen style he grew up with for over 25 years.
Although the Highwaymen were originally considered street artists, much of their work has been rediscovered and recognized for their talented Florida landscape scenes.
Ray McLendon, Orange Grove Trees
Black History Matter Mural
When
Currently on Display
Where
Woodson African American Museum of Florida
Admission
Open to the Public
What
Previously a BLACK LIVES MATTER mural, this updated mural expresses the importance of protecting Black History in the United States.
The Artists that contributed to the creation of this mural include Daniel “R5” Barojas, Miss Crit (Laura Spencer), Esh (Eric Hornsby), Cyrus Fire, Raheem Fitzgerald, John Gascot,
James E Hartzell, Vera Herrera, Plum Howlet, Jade Jackson, Reid Jenkins, Jujmo (Cheryl Weber), James Kitchens, Cam Parker, Reda3sb, Vitale Bros, Javon Walters, David Watson
T-shirts & Mural Prints
PURCHASE A T-SHIRT OR MURAL PRINT HERE
T-shirts and Black Lives Matter Mural prints are available for purchase.
Items are available for pick-up Tuesday – Friday, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Upcoming Events
Saturday Morning Yoga at The Woodson
When
Every Saturday Morning at 9 A.M.
Where
Woodson African American Museum of Florida
Admission
Free
What
Mindful Movement hosts yoga sessions every Saturday morning in The Woodson’s Legacy Garden.
No registration is required.
The Woodson’s Annual Toy Drive
When
November 4 - December 9
Where
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida
Admission
Donations
What
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is accepting bikes, books, balls, dolls, and more for its annual Toy Drive!
Bring unwrapped toys for ages 0-12, and gift cards for ages 13-17 for local families.
Drop off donations during our hours Tuesdays – Thursdays from 12-5 P.M., and Fridays from 11 A.M. – 4 P.M.
Picturing Paradise: From John James Audubon to the Florida Highwaymen
When
November 30, 2023 at 7 P.M.
Where
Via Zoom
Admission
Free
What
Join us for this virtual lecture by Dr. Keri Watson, associate professor of art history at the University of Central Florida and co-executive editor for Panorama: Journal of the Association of Historians of American Art.
The Florida landscape has provided aesthetic inspiration to artists for centuries. Titian Ramsay Peale and John James Audubon came in search of native flora and fauna, followed by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Martin Johnson Heade, George Inness, Winslow Homer, and Henry Ossawa Tanner, who were lured by its natural beauty and warm climate. This presentation offers a succinct and engaging history of Florida’s landscape painters.
To Register, click here.
This Florida Talks program was sponsored in part by Florida Humanities with funds from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the aforementioned entities.
Holiday Open House
When
Saturday, December 9, from 5-8 P.M.
Where
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida
Admission
Free
What
Join us for December’s ArtWalk and enjoy the holiday festivities that are in store!
Enjoy holiday treats, wander through the twinkling holiday display located in our Legacy Garden, and donate toys for families in our community.
This will be the final opportunity to meet Ray McLendon, the artist of our current exhibition, The Florida Highwaymen: The Next Generation – The Legacy Continues.
PJ’s, Popcorn, and Pictures with Santa
When
Saturday, December 16 from 10 A.M. - 1 P.M.
Where
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida
Admission
Free
What
Join us for crafts, popcorn, and taking pictures with Santa in The Woodson’s Legacy Garden!
To register, email woodsonmuseum@gmail.com
The Woodson’s Annual Toy Drive Give-Away
When
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Where
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida
Admission
Free
Classic Black
When
Sunday, January 28, 2023 starting at 5 P.M.
Where
The Palladium
Admission
Varies
What
The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is proud to showcase some of our area’s most talented Black classical performers. This annual event celebrates the extraordinary artistic talent of African Americans that is rarely seen or celebrated.
VIP: $75 – premier seats and a champagne & wine reception with the artists.
Tier B: $45.
Tier C: $20.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Save the Date | Woodson Warriors Scholarships Fundraiser
When
February 4, 2024 | 3-6 pm
Where
The Coliseum
Admission
Varies
What
The Woodson Warriors Scholarships Program’s mission is to assist local African-American students with their next level of education after graduating high school.
Sponsorship and Table Options
Click here for ticket, table, and sponsorship options.
Title Sponsorship – SOLD OUT
Title Sponsor of the Woodson Warriors Scholarships Fundraiser will be printed on promotional materials, press releases, and social media outlets and acknowledged as a sponsor of two (2) scholarships during the annual 2024 Woodson Warriors Scholarships Awards Ceremony. Your organization’s logo will be added to The Woodson African American Museum of Florida’s website as a contributor. The sponsorship provides for two (2) tables of eight at the event, and up to three (3) guests invitations to a VIP Reception.
Signature Sponsorship – $5,000.00
Signature Sponsor of the Woodson Warriors Scholarships Fundraiser will be printed on promotional materials, press releases, and social media outlets and acknowledged as a sponsor of one (1) scholarship during the annual 2024 Woodson Warriors Scholarships Awards Ceremony. Your organization’s logo will be added to The Woodson African American Museum of Florida’s website as a contributor. The sponsorship provides for one (1) table of eight at the event, and up to two (2) guests invitations to a VIP Reception.
Patron Sponsorship – $2,500.00
Patron Sponsor of the Woodson Warriors Scholarships Fundraiser will be acknowledged on The Woodson African American Museum of Florida’s website as a contributor.
Table Sponsorship – $1,500.00
Table Sponsor will have sponsor signage on their table.