James Museum To Showcase Historic Native American Photographs

ST. PETERSBURG, FL -- More than 70 photographs depicting Native American cultures will be on display during a special exhibition at The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, April 6 through July 21.

In the first three decades of the 20th century, American photographer Edward S. Curtis traveled the country to document “vanishing” Native American cultures with his cameras, producing thousands of images.

Expressive portraits and scenes from daily life captured a humanity and a romantic view that appealed to the Anglo-American public of the day. His respect for native people was ahead of his time, and the relationships he nurtured allowed for information gathering that would have otherwise been lost to history.

“The Cultural Connections of Edward S.Curtis" allows the viewer to step back in time to explore tribal traditions and early photographic processes through Curtis’ lens, with premier images and masterworks on loan from the Robb and Susan Hough collection.

Opened in April 2018, The James Museum contains more than 400 works of art selected from more than 3,000 pieces acquired by Tom and Mary James over their 50 years of art collecting. Tom James is the former CEO and chairman of the board of Raymond James Financial.

The 88,000-square-foot museum includes more than 30,000 square feet of gallery space; a double height lobby with water feature; a Native American jewelry collection; 6,000 square feet of rental event space supporting both large events and break-out sessions; a 125-seat auditorium; a commercial catering kitchen; and a museum shop and café.

Planned programming includes special exhibitions in a variety of genres, artist talks and demonstrations, art classes, docent tours and children’s activities.