Laura Hine is the James Museum’s new Executive Director

The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art has hired Laura Hine as Executive Director, following the departure in July of Founding Director Bernice Chu.

Hine served as project director during construction of the 80,000-square-foot downtown museum in 2016 and 2017. The facility, which houses the personal art collection of financier Tom James and his wife Mary, opened to the public in April of 2018.

“Laura possesses important leadership qualities including business sense, common sense, and strong interpersonal skills,” Tom James said in a press release. “Now that the museum is in a strong position when it comes to daily operations, we will broaden our team with a board of trustees, engage in strategic planning and take actions necessary to ensure the long-term vitality of the museum. Laura’s skills will be instrumental to this.”

Hine, whose husband Hank is the director of the Salvador Dali Museum, has a long history of involvement with arts and community affairs in St. Petersburg.