The Raymond James Collection

On July 7, 9  Harbour Hatties ladies traveled to the International headquarters on Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.  One of our members, Joan Greco had arranged a one hour tour of the extensive art collection housed in each of their four massive buildings.

The bronze piece that caught our eye was very near the entrance of one of the buildings was a massive bronze casting of Our Founding Fathers called Appeal to Divine Providence. Pictured were John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson holding the Declaration of Independence crafted by Stanley James Watts.

The art collection is the property of the Executive chairman, Thomas James and his wife. They are avid collectors and purchase items specifically for display throughout the buildings. Many are works of local artists, but the collection includes works of South Western artists and artists from Europe.

Our guide, Emily Shrider is the Art Administrator and Tour Coordinator. She is pictured explaining The Lady in Bronze  by Tammy Garcia. We saw bronze pieces by Vic Payne, including his stagecoach drawn by a team of horses.

Glass pieces in the lobby were of etched vases and dishes by Doug McClellan .
We saw many pieces of alabaster by Rick Nez and many different South Western and Animals of the world by various artists in various mediums, oils and acrylics.

Emily was as knowledgeable as the docents at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota and she has only been a tour coordinator for one year.

After the tour, we drove to the Pub, a seafood restaurant on the water in Indian Shores. We had a wonderful lunch and celebrated the July birthday of  Jan Lane.