Carry on the legacy.
Study the craft.

TCAA Fellowships are awarded annually to craftspeople who are passionately committed to pursuing excellence in one of four TCA disciplines.

Purpose:

• Raise the level of expertise and craftsmanship.
• Create a community of extended TCAA family.
• A possibility of creating TCAA future members to continue and further the TCAA mission.

History:

• Created in 2013
• 25 recipients as of 2025
• All recipients but one are still Western Craftspeople
• 5 female recipients
• 5 recipients have become TCAA Members

Funding:

• Each Fellowship is valued at $15,000.
• TCAA is currently able to fund two Fellowships per year, and the goal is to find funding to offer one in each discipline per year.
• To date, the TCAA has raised and spent $328,000 on Fellowship students.

How are Fellowship recipients chosen:

• Each applicant submits a bio, as well as an essay outlining their experience, career path and goals.
• Each applicant also submits a photo portfolio of their selected work.
• At the TCAA spring meeting, submissions are reviewed and discussed by members. A secret ballot vote is then held to choose recipients.
• We encourage applicants to continue applying if they are not selected the first time.

Once Chosen:

• The Fellowship student is notified and begins working with the Fellowship committee to choose mentors and set schedules.
• The Fellowship must be completed in one year.
• The Fellowship student is introduced at the annual TCAA Exhibition and Sale, allowing them the experience of the opening weekend and meeting all TCAA Members.
• At the conclusion of the Fellowship, they are awarded a TCAA plaque on stage at the Annual TCAA Exhibition & Sale Banquet.

TCAA Fellowship Committee Responsibilities:

• Set a timeline for applicants
• Receive applications and present at the spring meeting
• Notify successful Fellowship applicants
• Return applications
• Work with Fellowship students and TCAA members to set timelines for our Annual Exhibition & Sale
• Ensure all students stay on schedule, and the Fellowship is “completed” in one year
• Ensure there are photos and reports from each mentor and student—neither is paid until the Fellowship Committee receives a report and photos
• Monitor funding to ensure students don’t go over budget; unused funds will go to the Education Fund
• Order a plaque for the completion of the Fellowship
• Create a book for each Fellowship student/donor and the TCAA Archives
• Report students’ progress at each TCAA Zoom call and meeting

Mail to:

Troy West, 11290 Allison Ave., Azle, Texas USA 76020

Direct questions to:

Troy West | troy@troywestsaddles.com | 1(817) 444-7950
Troy Flaharty | troyflaharty71@gmail.com | 1(620) 635-5282

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 $3,000 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.

To apply for the Moms Scholarship please provide a detailed written bio along with 4 good quality photographs of your 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)

Ensuring the knowledge and skill of the cowboy arts is passed onto the next generation, the TCAA began its education program with its inaugural engraving workshop in 2001.

Today, the commitment continues with seminars and forums hosted by National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum & Western Heritage Museum, along with individual mentoring and scholarships.

Highlights:

• Over 2000 students to date
• Over $60,000 in scholarships awarded to 103 craftspeople
• 216 craftspeople have been personally mentored by TCAA members
• 220 craftspeople have attended TCAA workshops
• 45 speakers have given lectures and hosted TCAA seminars on craftsmanship and cowboy culture
• 394 one-of-a-kind pieces have been created by TCAA members for the Annual Exhibition & Sale
• 657 years of combined experience in TCAA members
• Over $330,000 raised for program funding

TCAA members are available for mentoring individuals as well as conducting workshops and lectures. For more information, please contact info@tcowboyarts.org