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Art

Go West, art fan

Saddle up for the Wildlife & Western Visions show, which comes to Raymond James Financial Center this weekend.

By LENNIE BENNETT
Published May 3, 2007

Ernest Simmons, White Pelicans, acrylic on canvas.
	[Image courtesy of The Plainsmen Gallery]

ADVERTISEMENT [Image courtesy of The Plainsmen Gallery] Vic Payne, Ancient Hunter, bronze.

ST. PETERSBURG

Wild and west are two words that have a special affinity in the American lexicon, prompting images of cowboys and Indians, bucking broncos and homes on the range.

A sophisticated version of that lore - and more - comes to town Saturday and Sunday with the eighth annual Wildlife & Western Visions Art Show at the Raymond James Financial Center. It features premier interpreters of the two genres, Western and wildlife art, who will exhibit original paintings and sculptures, all for sale, along with more affordable prints. A new category is American Indian jewelry.

Though it has gained prominence for its Western art, the show also hits close to home with Florida artists who paint serene landscapes and portraits of more local wildlife. The sum total is a representation of a life vanishing or vanished, which is part of this art's charm and appeal.

Eighteen painters and sculptors will be on hand to discuss their work: Al Agnew, John Coleman, Robert Deurloo, Grant Hacking, Matthew Hillier, Oreland Joe, Bill Nebeker, Dustin Payne, Vic Payne, Clark Kelley Price, Julia Rogers, Charles Rowe, John Seerey-Lester, Suzie Seerey-Lester, Ernest Simmons, Geoffrey Smith, Trevor Swanson and David Yorke. Coleman, Joe, Nebeker and Price are members of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America. Also on hand will be jewelry artists Dina Huntinghorse and Don Supplee. Few of the non-Florida artists exhibit their work in the Eastern United States except during this show.

A major reason Wildlife & Western Visions has become so big is the involvement of Tom James, CEO of Raymond James and an important collector. He has works by many of these artists in the collection he and his wife, Mary, have amassed over the years. Though it's owned by the Jameses, much of it is housed at corporate headquarters, available for public tours by appointment. During the art show, free tours will be given both days.

If you go

The eighth annual Wildlife & Western Visions Art Show, sponsored by Raymond James and the Plainsmen Gallery, is at the Raymond James Financial Center, 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The show and sale are inside corporate headquarters so please do not bring pets. Admission is free. (888) 779-2240 or www.wildlife artshow.com.

[Last modified May 2, 2007, 13:17:10]