Aside from four years of college, I have lived in San Jose, CA my entire life. In high school, I didn’t see much value in the place I called home. All I wanted was a place of my own, so I left. After four years living in Eugene, Oregon, I could not wait to get back to San Jose. How could such a short period of time change my mind? And now, years later, San Jose is more my home than it ever has been.
The San Jose Museum of Art (SJMA) celebrates new ideas, stimulates creativity, and inspires connection. Welcoming and thought-provoking, SJMA is known for its surprising and playful perspective on the art and artists of our time. Founded in 1969 by a grassroots campaign to form a municipal art gallery, the museum has grown over the decades and earned a reputation for unexpected and adventurous exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
James Tharp, Trustee, Telluride Historical Museum, former President of the Museum of Moab, and former Western Museums Association (WMA) Board Member, received the 2014 Director’s Chair Award. He is a passionate board member, always eager to learn more of the museum field, and has been involved with WMA for many years.
