A.E. "Bean" Backus (1906-1990) was one of Florida's most esteemed artists. While best known today in connection to the Florida Highwaymen, Backus was an exceptional artist in his own right. J. Marshall Adams, executive director at the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery in Fort Pierce, joins us to talk about Backus' life and legacy.
Craig Pittman is the award-winning author of Oh, Florida!: How America’s Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country, The Scent of Scandal, Cat Tale, Manatee Insanity and The State You’re In, and co-author of Paving Paradise. Born in Pensacola, he graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated dean to label him “the most destructive force on campus.” Since then he has covered a variety of newspaper beats and quite a few natural disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires and the Florida Legislature.