The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St.Petersburg has recently been having a huge success with their exhibit from Ya La’Ford called Survey the West: A Cross-Continental Reflection. This exhibit highlights abstract paintings and sculptures that was from the artists three-month exploration of the American West.

The James Museum also debuted a docent-led tour called a Sip-N-See. This tour centered on the Survey the West exhibit from Ya La’Ford and started with a themed drink before the tour begins. After spending some time getting to know your fellow tour members and the docent leading the tour, you then embark up to the exhibit to get to know and understand this wonderful exhibit.

The docent was well-prepared and knew what she was talking about. I give credit to her by starting with landscape art everyone is familiar in which to gain a fixed point in which we would later compare of what we would see. When entering the actual exhibit, the docent, with much knowledge and understanding, was able to help guide all of us people into envisioning what Ya La’Ford envisioned in creating this exhibit.

This is not an exhibit to experience on your own without guidance. I, as a museum goer, generally like to divulge into the creations with my own interpretation until I choose to understand what the artist wishes us to see. This does not work well with Ya La’Ford. I highly recommend having a tour done on the exhibit the first time. It clearly helps you see in the eye of Ya La’Ford and enhances the experience of what you are seeing in the entire exhibit. I, who love abstract art, would have had not clue what I was seeing walking into it blindly, and would have left missing the beauty of the exhibit. For one who used to live in the West, I would have been deprived for sure.

This exhibit runs through May 18th and I highly recommend visiting and experiencing it. I also insist you see it if you ever lived in the West, as it will change the way of how you viewed the land in the time you lived there.

The Sip-N-See experience is a nice touch the James Museum added. I was ensured that this was the first time they did such a thing and plan to do so again. Taking the successes from the initial tour and learning from the shortcomings to make it that much better, I cannot imagine how it could get better as I felt it was a magnificent experience. Be sure to make time in the next couple of weeks and be wary as you tour. Ya La’Ford could be in that room right beside you sharing in your enthusiasm as you absorb the creations on display.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION TOURS
Docent-led tours (that is not part of the Sip-N-See) will be every day from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. while the special exhibition is on view.

Survey the West is the first of four special exhibitions planned for The James Museum in 2025. The
exhibitions allow visitors to encounter extraordinary works of art while exploring the compelling
stories and voices behind them. For more information on the 2025 exhibitions and related events,
visit thejamesmuseum.org/special-exhibitions and follow the museum on Instagram and Facebook
for sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes looks at each exhibition.

David “Thrills” is an avid enthusiast of thrill parks and entertainment activities in the Tampa Bay Area. Be sure to follow me on instagram or twitter for live updates or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com for any questions or concerns. The Sip-N-See tour was done courtesy of the James Museum, but all opinions of the tour are of mine own. Pictures were taken with permission from the James Museum.