The Westmoreland Museum of American Art has announced that 2026 will be dedicated as the Year of the American Landscape, launching with two new exhibitions opening this weekend.
The first exhibition, Florida Highwaymen Painters (January 25–May 17, 2026), features works by 26 self-taught Black artists who painted and sold images of Florida’s landscapes from the 1950s through the 1980s. These artists, who were excluded from traditional galleries during segregation, developed their own system for marketing and distributing their art. They sold paintings directly to customers in various locations such as offices, hotels, and along highways. In recognition of their contributions to American art, all 26 artists were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame in 2004. The exhibition explores how artistic practice served as a means for opportunity and self-determination within its historical context.
Opening alongside this is it takes a long time to stay here: Paintings by Jordan Ann Craig (January 25, 2026–January 18, 2027). Craig is a Northern Cheyenne artist based in New Mexico whose abstract paintings are influenced by Southwestern landscapes and visual traditions. Her large-scale geometric works draw inspiration from her surroundings in Pojoaque Valley as well as Northern Cheyenne beadwork and quillwork, Pueblo pottery, and other traditional forms. The edges of her paintings are intentionally left unfinished to reflect a balance between structure and imperfection. The exhibition title comes from a poem by Northern Cheyenne poet m.s. RedCherries; according to Craig, “the line suggests how staying in place fosters deeper connections with people, cultures, and landscapes.”
Additional exhibitions connected to the theme will take place throughout the year. Shaping the American Landscape opens in February with works on loan from The American Art Collection of J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox and the National Academy of Design alongside pieces from The Westmoreland’s collection. In June, Clementine Hunter: As I Saw It will be displayed in partnership with the American Folk Art Museum through Art Bridges’ Partner Loan Network program; it highlights Hunter’s depictions of life in Louisiana’s Cane River region.
From September through January 2027, an exhibition featuring Ansel Adams’ iconic landscape photographs will be presented with works organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions from Turtle Bay Exploration Park’s collection. Contemporary landscape photographs selected with Silver Eye Center for Photography will also be shown alongside Adams’ work.
As previously announced by The Westmoreland Museum of American Art (source), Steel Valley Visions: An American Legacy continues throughout 2026 exploring Southwestern Pennsylvania’s steel industry history. A new immersive experience related to this topic opens today at the museum.
A Liberty Bell replica designed by Mandy Sirofchuck remains on view outside the museum through America250PA’s Bells Across PA initiative; its glass mosaic depicts regional landmarks and natural resources.
Florida Highwaymen Painters is organized by Addison Gallery of American Art at Phillips Academy while Jordan Ann Craig’s exhibition was curated by The Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University.
Support for these programs comes from organizations including Hillman Foundation, Heinz Endowments, an anonymous supporter for Florida Highwaymen Painters, Art Bridges Foundation for Jordan Ann Craig’s exhibit—and additional partners involved in loans or organizing specific shows.
According to information provided about general operations: Western Pennsylvania’s only museum dedicated solely to American art offers free admission year-round along with community-oriented programming (source). More details about exhibits can be found on their website.
“the line suggests how staying in place fosters deeper connections with people, cultures, and landscapes.” — Jordan Ann Craig
