The call of the cowboyS

The TCAA Fellowship is awarded annually to a craftsperson who is passionately committed to pursuing excellence in Bit and Spur Making, Silversmithing, Saddlemaking or Rawhide Braiding.

The Fellowship Award covers travel and tuition valued up to $12,000 for mentorship over the course of a year.

Applicants must submit a hard copy application including a personal essay outlining career path and goals, alongside a photo portfolio of work to date.

Should an application not find success, we encourage you to apply again.

Mail to:

Cary Schwarz, PO Box 2002, Salmon, ID 83467, USA

Direct questions to:

Previous winners:

In honor of his late mother Mrs. Tena Willemsma, Saddlemaker John Willemsma created the Mom’s Scholarship to help emerging craftswomen develop and improve their abilities in one of the four TCAA disciplines: Rawhide Braiding, Saddlemaking, Silversmithing, or Bit and Spur Making.

Recipients are awarded with $1,000 to cover tuition and travel for a mentorship with a master. The applicant must aspire to a full-time career working in her craft to be eligible.

Tena Willemsma was a woman who is and will be remembered for her ability to inspire others while living an exemplary life with strength and grace. She immigrated to the United States in 1956 from Holland, raised six children, and worked hard to receive her GED at age 52. Two years later, she concluded her education and received her certification as an LPN. For the next 20 years Tena worked nights as a registered nurse, finally retiring at the age of 74.

Tena Willemsma was determined and demonstrated tenacity, strength of character, and unwavering dedication to her family and her work.

John along with the TCAA continue to believe that these qualities are as essential today as they were 100 years ago. The TCAA is very grateful to the Willemsma’s for sharing the empowering story of their mother, while providing the resources to promote and encourage a craftswoman to develop and improve in her chosen trade.

Applicants must submit a hard copy application including a written bio alongside four photos of their best work.

Mail to:

John Willemsma, 535 Airway Drive, Westcliffe, CO 81252, USA,
1 (405) 282-5336

Previous recipients:

Jodi Brown (Silversmith), Justine Nelson (Rawhide Braider), and Anna Sever (Saddle Maker)