In 1979 the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia contracted with Gary for an exhibition of his sculptures. It is the oldest institution of its kind in the entire hemisphere. The implications of their acceptance of his work as interesting to scientists and their audiences as well as to art lovers and popular culture audiences set Gary on a course for his career that garnered invitations from all over the world through marketing targeted to diverse types of museums and venues. Steve Miller of the New York Sun noted in his news breaking obituary in 2006 that the museum exhibit at the academy brought national attention to Jim Gary. In 1982 his sculpture was hosted by Carnegie.