James Allan Holmes is the definition of a modern-day Renaissance man––a person who is skilled in multiple disciplines and has a broad base of knowledge. He is an artist, businessman and art collector. His days are fluid and he addresses them holistically, believing that every aspect of his life––professional work, personal interests, family, friends and commitment to community service––are intertwined and benefit each other. When James leaves for work in the morning, he does not drive to a typical office building, but to a 15th century-style castle.

With more than 10 years as the Executive Director (ED) of Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation (CRCF)—a nonprofit that preserves and promotes the cultural and natural heritage of this historic Colorado landmark in Sedalia—James is passionate about combining his love of the arts and community service with his creative problem solving and resource management skills.

He became the ED in August 2015, after his friend and previous CRCF executive director, Deborah Jordy, invited him to evaluate the extensive book collection of the ranch’s founder, Tweet Kimball. “I, like Tweet, am a voracious collector of art, books and objects. Having a particular knowledge of books authored by Winston Churchill, a major subject in Tweet’s collection, Deborah thought I could be helpful to the Foundation,” said James. “I could not have known that 13 years later, I would become the executive director.”

James is a second-generation Coloradan born in Denver and raised in the Town of Sheridan. He attended Regis University, where he studied international business and economics. He moved to Parker when he married his wife, Wendy Holmes, in 1999 and became a second father to Wendy’s daughters, Erin and Kristen, who live in Parker and Seattle, respectively. James also has a goddaughter, Angie, who is a musician in Denver.

When Wendy was asked to describe her husband, she said, “Eclectic doesn’t begin to describe James. He has a book collection of American presidents; he was an equestrian hunter and jumper; he raced bicycles (Tour de France style); and he raced cars, too.

He has been a bodybuilder, radio talk show host, played guitar in a rock band and is a very talented, contemporary artist.”

And true to many aspects of James’s life, the path that led him to be an artist was not a traditional one. Growing up, James loved to draw and paint; but after he graduated from college and began work in finance, he left art behind. Instead, he served on arts and culture boards and commissions, raising funds for art projects and he began collecting art.

After a horseback riding accident in 2018, which resulted in a broken neck and head injury, James’s mother reminded him how much he loved creating and suggested he pass the weeks of recovery at home by painting. James began with small canvases and eventually developed a daily painting practice as a method of healing. After a year, James completed 60 paintings—piled up in his basement—with no intention of sharing them. But after a friend finally convinced him to exhibit in a show she was curating, James agreed and found the experience inspiring. It was the beginning of what has become an emerging art career and committed painting practice.

“I make it a point to spend time with art every day in the form of creating art, seeing art, reading about art, or watching videos about art,” said James. “I believe that my creative process makes me a much better thinker and contributes to all aspects of my life, including my work. The work I do in the community often has a correlation to my daily practice.”

This community work includes serving on the Board of Directors for the Kirkland Museum in Denver and the Douglas County Community Foundation. James is also a passionate advocate in the Denver art community, which led him to recently receive the 2025 Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) John Madden, Jr. Leadership Award. Named for CBCA’s founding chairman, the award was given to James because of his lifetime of community leadership and legacy of support for the arts ranging from his fundraising chairmanship for the MLK I Have A Dream Monument in City Park to more than two decades of trusteeship with Denver Art Museum.

“It has been a humbling experience to receive acknowledgment for my accumulated acts of service recounting four decades working with so many dedicated leaders in our community,” said James. “To be placed within the context of John Madden, Jr.’s legacy, whose example remains an inspiration for me and so many others in both business and the arts, is a blessing.”

In their spare time, James and Wendy enjoy traveling to New York for art immersion trips. The couple owns a multi-breed dog, Leo.

 

James engaging in some of the many hobbies that contribute to his active and eclectic lifestyle.

 

By Sara Goodwin; photos courtesy of James A. Holmes