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About
Artists
Study the Craft

Art
Shows
News
Contact

Become A Member

Applications are now open to anyone wishing to apply

Application requirements:

There is no official application form
Application consists of an in-depth biography detailing your professional work, history, goals, and aspirations as it pertains to the discipline for which you are applying. Please be detailed so that reviewing members have a thorough understanding of you as an individual and a craftsperson.
High-quality, high-resolution photographs that fully represent your work and abilities. Please supply multiple examples so that the active members who will be evaluating your work may form an accurate and informed opinion.
Applicant must be present for a personal interview at the venue of the applicable spring or fall meeting when their application is being considered
Applicant must provide

(1) If applying as a saddle maker…one saddle.
(2) The other disciplines must provide a minimum of 3 pieces of work.
(Note, if applicant is elected as a member they may not use their application piece(s) for the TCAA exhibit and sale)

Applications will be accepted at either the spring or fall member meetings.

Application deadline is 30 days prior to the first day of the TCAA spring or fall meeting. A hard copy application must be received by Cary Schwarz TCAA Secretary 30 days prior to the applicable meeting date in order to be considered.

Cary Schwarz
PO Box 2002
Salmon, Idaho 83467

* A 75% majority vote is required for membership. The vote is a secret ballot.

Carry on the legacy.
Study the craft.

Education and Mentorship in Bit & Spur Making, Silversmithing, Rawhide Braiding and Saddlemaking.

Buckle Fabrication Workshop

This workshop will focus on buckle fabrication with experienced Silversmith Beau Compton, who loves to share traditional cowboy arts skills with the next generation.

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2021 TCAA Braiding Workshop

Function, balance, and decoration are design elements in the craft of braiding taught in this annual hands-on workshop. Students will explore the intricacies of constructing quirts with their unique styles and regional differences.

Master Instructors:

Nate Wald has been braiding for over 30 years and was named Braider of the Year by the American Academy of Western Artists. He has also been inducted into Montana’s Circle of American Masters.

Leland Hensley has over 35 years of braiding experience and has developed a high reputation amongst collectors and working cowboys alike for his unique design, beauty and rugged functionality. In 2003, he was bestowed the Academy of Western Artists (AWA) Braider of the Year award.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Students should have some experience braiding bodies over cores in addition to basic long and short buttons.

For more information contact nationalcowboymuseum.org

TCAA Fellowship

Awarded annually to a craftsperson who is passionately committed to pursuing excellence in one of the four disciplines of the TCAA.

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Mom's Scholarship

Helping emerging craftswomen develop and improve their abilities, the Mom’s Scholarship is available to aspiring female artists.

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The TCAA Fellowship

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.

To apply for the TCAA Fellowship please submit a detailed bio including an essay outlining your experience, career path and goals. Please include a portfolio of photographs of your work to date. These photographs should be of a sufficient size and quality as to allow for a fair and adequate evaluation of the subject.

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

Mail to:

Beau Compton, PO Box 221, 4156 Davis Ranch Rd, Tombstone Arizona, USA. 85638

Direct questions to:

Beau Compton | beaucompton@hotmail.com | 1 (719) 661-4959
Troy West | troy@troywestsaddles.com | 1 (682) 225-0395

Previous winners:

Matt Litz, Brady Butters, Conley Walker, Steve Mason, Beau Compton, Whit Olson, Jean Luc Parisot, Graeme Quisenberry, Troy Flaharty

Mom's Scholarship

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.

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)

TCAA Education Program

Ensuring the knowledge and skill of the cowboy arts is passed onto the next generation. Started in 2001, the TCAA’s Education Program includes annual workshops, seminars, individual mentoring and education opportunities.

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TCAA Education Program

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 two annual workshops and a seminar hosted by the National Cowboy & 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 at the National Cowboy Museum & Western Heritage Museum.
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