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Arts Alive! podcast: Emily Kapes, James Museum
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month, and Curator of Art Emily Kapes, who’s been part of the team since day one (and even before) is our guest today on the Arts Alive! podcast.
Raymond James Financial Chairman Emeritus Tom James and his wife Mary are passionate collectors of contemporary art depicting the American West, both in its untamed era and in more modern times. Theirs is one of three privately-owned art museums in St. Petersburg.
In this interview, Kapes recalls the earliest days, before there was a museum building. The James’ expansive collection of paintings, sculptures and other works by living artists was displayed throughout Raymond James’ headquarters.
She also discusses the museum’s series of visiting exhibits, many of them themed by genre or era, and how these have increased the flow of visitors. The current exhibition, The Stories They Tell, is a particular favorite.
The building, designed by architect Yann Weymouth, is itself a work of art. The gallery space totals 30,000 square feet.
She bids a fond farewell to Laura Hine, the museum’s executive director, who left this week to continue her work on the Pinellas County School Board. (The interview was recorded just before the museum announced Robin Nicholson as Hine’s replacement.)
For details on the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, and information on the 5th anniversary celebration, click here.
Click on the arrow below to listen to the interview.
