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 – an attention to place made by contemporary artists. They collected for their pleasure as well as hoping to help living artists make a living by their art alone. 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 Salvador 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 Exhibits“Ed Mell: Legacy in Light” is an artist spotlight in The James's Frontier Gallery featuring nine works by Ed Mell (1942-2024), a New York commercial designer turned acclaimed Western artist whose dramatic desert landscapes blend realism and abstraction. “Kay WalkingStick / Hudson River School” is an exhibition at The New York Historical that pairs Cherokee artist Kay WalkingStick's contemporary landscapes with Hudson River School paintings to explore how her work connects with and departs from that tradition.
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
Guest Reviews
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.
Beautiful museum- the Wolves display was great. Enjoyed walking through and lots of comfy chairs and benches throughout as well as children activities. We actually got in free with our Pinellas County teachers July special.
A beautiful museum. I really enjoyed the section of insanely talented Native American artists. The exhibition of photography by Edward S. Curtis was very thoughtfully put together, I appreciated the context given to the photographs and the effort to find the identies of the subjects of the portraits. Whoever put together the jewelry display room really knocked it out of the park, the layout of different types of turquoise from different mines was really, really cool. The staff was very friendly and pointed out little tidbits to us, and we ran into a cowboy who was very friendly, informative and made the experience even more enjoyable.
One of the best museums to visit! The artwork is world class that includes paintings, photographs, sculptures and more. Truly a wonderful gift from the James family and a highly recommended trip through the Old and New West.
The exhibition takes about 40 minutes to walk through, and it is well worth it. The Indigenous figures are truly impressive. There is also a photography exhibit that offers a deep dive into a lost past. I highly recommend visiting this museum
Accessible Features
- Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
- Wheelchair Accessible Parking
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom