The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art has its roots in Tom and Mary James' undivided love for both culture and the city of St. Pete, which has been their home. Tom began collecting art while a student. When their travels took them west, they both became captivated by the art, landscape and wildlife of the West.
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A Collection is BornTom and Mary James began to collect what moved them – contemporary works capturing the landscapes, people and wildlife of the American West. They collected for their own enjoyment and to help living artists support themselves through their work. They collected works in oil, ink, stone and steel; works that defy genres and labels; works that evoke the spirit of a wide-open frontier and the beauty of life in the wild. Since their first acquisition, a vast artistic legacy has grown – one filled with emerging artists and living legends, tribal tradition and classical finesse.
Explore the James MuseumThrough exhibitions and education programs, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art emphasizes the core values of the art that moved Tom and Mary James during their collecting: action, fortitude, heritage and integrity. The James Museum joins The Dalí Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Chihuly Collection and the Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement, among many other institutions, in affirming St. Pete as a sophisticated arts and cultural destination for visitors and residents alike.
Current ExhibitsOn view through January 10, 2027, “Ed Mell: Legacy in Light” features nine original works in the Frontier Gallery. Mell (1942–2024), a commercial designer turned acclaimed Western artist, captured dramatic desert landscapes through a distinctive blend of realism and abstraction.
“Kay WalkingStick / Hudson River School”, on view through March 21, 2027, pairs contemporary landscapes by Cherokee artist Kay WalkingStick with 19th-century Hudson River School paintings from The New York Historical’s collection. The exhibition explores their different perspectives on nature and Indigenous connections to the land.
Each spring, “Dynamic Dimensions,” the Pinellas County Schools K–12 Art Exhibition, showcases artwork by local students. Check the museum’s website for dates and details.
Learn More About the MuseumRead more about the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, including its special exhibits and educational programs. Also read our article, The West Comes Alive at The James Museum.
Hours
Monday 10 AM–5 PM
Tuesday 10 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 10 AM–5 PM
Thursday 10 AM–5 PM
Friday 10 AM–5 PM
Saturday 10 AM–5 PM
Sunday 10 AM–5 PM
What Visitors Love
I never expected a museum focused on the American West to be my favorite museum in St. Pete, but it was! The architecture is stunning, and the soft flute music combined with the sound of the water feature created such a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere. It really put me in the right frame of mind to take in the incredible artwork throughout the museum. I found myself getting lost in so many of the paintings, imagining what life was like back then and playing out little scenes in my head. This museum was such an unexpected highlight of our trip and is absolutely worth a visit!
We absolutely loved the James Museum. Magnificent bronze statues, gorgeous paintings, amazing jewelry... The special wolf exhibit was wonderful. They had a person give a guided talk through it that was great. Parking garage adjacent made it very convenient to visit. We plan to become members. This is a museum we'll want to visit multiple times and bring out of town guests.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We were truly impressed by this museum! The collection is absolutely stunning, with incredible paintings, sculptures, and wildlife art. Every gallery is beautifully designed, and you can really feel the passion and attention to detail behind every exhibit. The atmosphere is peaceful, and we spent much more time here than we expected because there was so much to admire. This museum exceeded all of our expectations and was one of the highlights of our visit to St. Petersburg. We highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates art, history, and the beauty of the American West. We will definitely come back!
If I could rate 10 stars, I would! The company I work for booked the James Museum as our venue for our quarterly company luncheon and it was FABULOUS! Holly was the most efficient and kind-hearted coordinator I could have asked for. There was plenty of space, A/V services, seamless catering and loads of options to customize our event. Our entire event committee was stunned by how easy it was to put this together with the help of Holly and the Museum. 11/10 recommend to anyone looking for a venue and the museum itself was gorgeous so I'd also recommend a standard visit! We cannot wait to return.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We absolutely loved visiting The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art! Everything was amazing—from the beautiful architecture to the incredible paintings and sculptures. The exhibits were fascinating, well organized, and full of history and culture. The atmosphere was peaceful, and we enjoyed every minute of our visit. Highly recommend this museum to anyone visiting St. Petersburg. We will definitely come back!
Accessible Features
- Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
- Wheelchair Accessible Parking
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom