This year promises to be a banner year for The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art. Located in St. Petersburg, Florida, this institution is dedicated to connecting visitors to America’s West and the world’s diverse wildlife through a collection of sculptures, paintings and jewelry displayed throughout 26,000 square feet of gallery space. The museum also offers tours and a selection of educational programs.

“These exhibitions connect with visitors in different ways,” said Emily Kapes, chief curator, The James Museum. “We have photography, we have bold abstract designs, we have the quiet beauty of nature. There’s something in these stories and works of art that speaks to all of us.”

“And I Shall Give You Rest” © Heide Press

From Feb. 15 to May 18, Survey the West: A Cross-Continental Reflection allows viewers to experience the American West through the geometric and linear labyrinths created by artist Ya La’ford. On view from May 9 to Sept. 14 in the Earth and Humanity Foundation Wildlife Gallery, Sarah Kaizar’s RARE AIR: Endangered Birds, Bats, Butterflies and Bees focuses on conservation through highly detailed, scientifically accurate pen-and-ink drawings.

“Art draws us into stories we might not otherwise see,” said Robin Nicholson, executive director, The James Museum. “This year’s exhibitions invite visitors to consider the juxtaposition of past and present, to rethink our understanding of the American West, and challenge how we see and connect with the natural world.”

On view from June 14 to Sept. 28, Perseverance: A Woman’s Journey West is artist Heide Presse’s artistic exploration of the 19^th-century women who braved the Oregon Trail. Paintings, period artifacts and historically accurate recreations of common items meld into a look at the lives of often-overlooked pioneers. Later in the year, from Nov. 8 to March 29, 2026, the work of photographer Edward S. Curtis will be on exhibit in Edward S. Curtis: Photographer of His Time. The artist’s compelling works and compositions from 1897 to 1927 provide a fascinating timeline into the changing world of the American West.