See Andy Warhol's Western Exhibit Before it Leaves St. Pete

Warhol's West is On Exhibit Until January 9 at The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in Downtown Saint Petersburg, Florida.

The Display in Tampa Bay You Don't Want to Miss

Aloha Melani at Warhol West Exhibit - James Museum St. Petersburg, FL(Melani Rivera/Aloha Melani)

The most influential Pop Artist, Andy Warhol's last major portfolio was Cowboys and Indians (1986).

Andy Warhol Campbell Soup screen print (1968)(Andy Warhol/Wikipedia)

Known as "The Pope of Pop," Warhol is famous for bright colorful prints of anything popular like items like Campbell's Soup (1968) to icons like Marylin Monroe (1967).

Marylin Diptych (1962)(Andy Warhol/Tate)

Nevertheless, most are unaware that Warhol had an infatuation with the American West.

The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in Downtown Saint Petersburg, Florida invites museum-goers to explore the American West through Andy Warhol’s eyes. Warhol’s West explores the pop artists' interest in the West since his childhood years in the 1930s and '40s. The exhibit presents a wide range of Western imagery and more by Warhol, including his last series, Cowboys and Indians.

Aloha Melani Next to a photo of Andy Warhol with Cowboy Boots on(Melani Rivera/Aloha Melani)

Warhol's work is immediately recognizable, fun, and sometimes controversial. The Cowboys and Indians series depicts images of the "Wild West" as Americans saw it on television and in books in the 19th century. Western movies and novels in the 1960s misinformed society about Natives and Cowboys.

The fake imagery of the West remains prevalent in American culture to this day. This could be the reason Cowboys and Indians might be one of Warhols most prolific series completed the year before he died.

A Fun and Interactive Exhibit

The James Museum, one of the newer museums in Tampa Bay is always innovative in its displays. It sometimes provides hands-on interaction for museum-goers to understand the artist better. Docents are always available to give a tour, but Warhol's West offers two more ways to get into Andy's world.

Aloha Melani in Warhol Style Pop Art(Melani Rivera/Aloha Melani)

The museum invites you to become part of the exhibition with a "Pop Art Yourself" station. In one corner of the Warhol's West exhibit, you will find a photo kiosk where you can take a photo of yourself. Moments later on the wall is an Andy Warhol screenprint style photo of you!

Pop Art Yourself Kiosk at the James Museum Warhol West Exhibit(Melani Rivera/Aloha Melani)

The Warhol kiosk allows you to choose how many printed squares you want of your image and gives you the option of emailing the image to yourself as a souvenir. The station is even equipped with a step for little museum-goers to get in on the fun.

Nelsazon learning Andy Warhol Screen Printing in the Art Studio at The James Museum(Melani Rivera/Aloha Melani)

Andy Warhol was well-known for his screenprints. On Tuesday through Saturday during the Warhol's West exhibit you can drop into the Art Studio and learn about the process Andy Warhol used to create his colorful Pop art prints.

Alahni Silk Screen Warhol Style in the Art Studio at The James Museum(Melani Rivera/Aloha Melani)

During class, you get hands-on and make a silkscreen print of your own to take home. The studio is so much fun for kids and adults alike.

Docent Marj L., Harley Badst Exec. Assistant of the Jame Museum with Alohamelani in the Art Studio(Melani Rivera/Aloha Melani)

It is currently holiday break in Tampa Bay. What a perfect activity for the kids and out-of-town guests to learn all about Andy Warhol and his fascination with the American West.