Exhibit
The Cowboy Trades Association’s traveling exhibit is designed to create authentic moments of connection between people and the living heritage of the cowboy trades. Our vision is to showcase the skill, dedication, and working knowledge of tradesmen who carry forward the traditions of the American West. This exhibit does more than display craftsmanship—it shares the human stories behind trades shaped by history, values, and a deep sense of purpose.
By providing access to these time-honored skills, we work to preserve their legacy and raise public awareness of the tradesmen who keep these traditions alive. Through the exhibit, we encourage new generations to take part in these trades—as makers, patrons, students, and supporters—and connect them with the knowledge and resources needed to carry these meaningful traditions into the future.
Saddle Up!: Past & Upcoming Exhibitions
The Saddle Up! exhibition premiered in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and was on view from July 31, 2025 through January 5, 2026. The opening marked an important milestone for the Cowboy Trades Association, bringing together master artisans, emerging craftsmen, and the public to celebrate the working traditions of the American West.
Visitors were invited to meet the artists, observe live demonstrations, hear firsthand stories of the trades, and engage directly with the skills and heritage that define cowboy craftsmanship. The exhibition offered meaningful, hands-on experiences for all ages.
Following its successful premiere, Saddle Up! is planned to travel throughout the Rocky Mountain region in 2026 as part of the America 250 national celebration.
Future dates and locations will be announced as they are confirmed.
Organizations interested in hosting the exhibition are encouraged to contact info@cowboytradesassociation.org.
Schedule of Events:
July 31st | Thursday | 5:30-7:00
OPENING RECEPTION
at the Jackson Hole History Museum
Join us to officially open this exhibit for the first time. We will be honoring the traditional cowboy artists who live and work in Jackson Hole and in our neighboring communities, preserving and contributing their creativity and skill to our shared cultural heritage.
HATS & BOOTS
Friday, August 1 | 2–4 PM
MEET THE MASTER BOOTMAKER: JIM BRAINARD
Jim will demonstrate stitching techniques and discuss the full process of making custom cowboy boots. Tour the gallery with the man who built the exhibit and hear about his dedication to cowboy traditions. Custom boot fitting appointments available — $500 deposit required
Saturday, August 2 | 2–4 PM
MEET THE MASTER BOOTMAKERS: DAN AND JULIA SCHWARZ
See a demonstration of inseam stitching and learn how this creative duo are teaching the trade in Dillon, MT. Custom boot fitting appointments available during the day.
Tuesday, August 5 | 12–2 PM
MEET THE JH HAT MAKER: CHRISTY SING ROBERTSON
Bring your lunch and visit with Jackson’s well-known hat maker while she demonstrates the early steps of making a felt hat. Learn about the history of cowboy hats, how they evolve, and why she began making them. Custom fitting appointments available during the day
Saturday, August 9 | 10–11:30 AM
WALKING TOUR: VISIT SING HAT COMPANY WORKSHOP
Meet on the boardwalk in front of the Jackson Hole History Museum for a short walk to Christy’s workshop. See behind-the-scenes hatmaking with her team.
Saturday, August 9 | 12–2 PM
SPECIAL SHOW AND SALE OF HANDMADE COWBOY HATS
A display of fine, handmade cowboy hats made from the best materials—available for purchase (pre-sized, not custom-made).
Saturday, August 9 | 2–4 PM
MEET THE COLORADO HAT MAKER: BROOK BRIDDLE
Brook will share stories from his hatmaking career and demonstrate his techniques. Custom fitting appointments available during the day
LEATHERWORK AND HORSEHAIR HITCHING FOR HUMAN USE
SPECIAL EVENT:
FORGE
AND
FIRE
Saturday, August 30 | 10 AM - 3 PM
ARTIST BLACKSMITHING DEMONSTRATION BY STEVE FONTANINI
Weather permitting, Steve will set up his forge on the back deck of the Museum to demonstrate various techniques used by artist blacksmiths for gates, fireplace screens, artwork and more. He will do demonstrations throughout the day. Rare opportunity to see this kind of work.
Friday, August 15 | 2-4 PM
MEET THE MASTER HORSEHAIR HITCHING ARTIST CASEY BACKUS
Casey is an accomplished horsehair hitching artist who combines this skill with fine leatherwork and rawhide braiding to make one-of-a-kind pieces. Join him for a demonstration of hitching and enjoy his stories of his long career in the cowboy trades.
Saturday, August 16 | 2-4 PM
MEET THE MASTER HORSEHAIR HITCHING CASEY BACKUS
Casey is an accomplished horsehair hitching artist who combines this skill with fine leatherwork and rawhide braiding to make one-of-a-kind pieces. Join him for a demonstration of hitching, rawhide braiding and leather tooling.
Friday, August 22 | 2-4 PM
LEARN TO PAINT LEATHER WITH LEATHER ARTIST OLIVE PARKER
Olive makes truly beautiful leather jewelry and leather paintings. This hands-on workshop will invite you to try your hand at leather painting using images prepared by Olive. She will also give a talk about how she was able to build her Montana Leather Designs business from scratch.
Please pre-register by calling or texting Nicole at 217 280-0779. Modest fee for materials.
Friday, August 22 | 12 – 1 PM
WALKING TOUR TO TOUR OLIVE PARKER’S LEATHER PAINTING AT THE WORT HOTEL
Join Olive at noon on the boardwalk in front of the Jackson Hole History Museum to visit the WORT HOTEL and learn about the process of creating their much-loved leather paintings in the bar and restaurant, created by Olive Parker.
Saturday August 23 | 12-2 PM
BROWN BAG LUNCH (bring your own lunch) AND TALK: THE HISTORY OF BUCKSKIN CLOTHING IN THE WEST
Elaine Snyder, award-winning maker of buckskin clothing will talk about the important place of buckskin clothing in the history of the West and how she developed her skills in the trade.
HORSE GEAR: SADDLERY, BITS & SPURS, CINCHES AND BRAIDING
Thursday, September 4 | 10 AM – 3 PM
GATHERING OF THE MASTERS OF TODAY’S HORSE GEAR
A full day of workshops, talks and demonstrations with the legendary masters of these trades. Keith Seidel of Seidel Saddlery in Cody, WY has received numerous awards for his elaborately tooled saddles. Ernie Marsh of Marsh Brothers in Lovell has received the 2025 National Heritage Fellowship award from the National Endowment for the Arts for his bits and spurs. Dan Ames is a national leader in rawhide braiding and Judy Hatch will be demonstrating. handweaving of mohair hitches. Demonstrations, talks and special shows will be taking place from 10-3, location TBD. This day is a highlight of our exhibit program, bringing together this group of exceptional masters. For more information about the day and to pre-register for hands-on workshops, please call or text Nicole at 217 280-0779. Modest fee for materials for workshops. Off-site Locations To Be Announced
Friday, September 5 | 10 AM – 8 PM
SPECIAL SHOW AND SALE OF THE FINEST IN HORSE GEAR
A display and sale of leather and saddle gear for your horse, created by these master artists. Rare opportunity for custom fittings for a saddle for your horse by calling Amelia at 208-709-2820.
Friday, September 5 | 5 PM – 8 PM
PALATES AND PALETTES GALLERY WALK / PART OF THE FALL ARTS FESTIVAL
Look for our horse fashion show, presenting high fashion for the horse, including saddle, bridle, bits and spurs, cinch and other accoutrements. Also offered is a special display of saddles, bits & spurs, cinches and braiding on the upper deck of the Museum, weather permitting. Featuring renowned artists Keith Seidel, Ernie Marsh, Dan Ames, and Judy Hatch.
Tuesday, September 9 | 2-5 PM
MAKE A HAND-WOVEN CINCH FOR YOUR FAVORITE HORSE
Tia Watson will offer a very enjoyable workshop to learn the art of cinch-weaving from master cinch-maker Tia Watson. Calling all textile makers to come learn this functional craft. You can make a cinch that fits your horse much better than store-bought. Tia will also be doing a demonstration of cinch-making in the local schools.
Friday, September 12 | 12-2 PM
SILVER ENGRAVING AND BITS AND SPURS WITH AMY ERICKSON
Based in Evanston WY, Amy Erickson is making a name for herself in the world of bits and spurs. She also makes beautiful buckles, gear decoration and jewelery from silver, steel and other precious metals. She will be demonstrating silver engraving and talking about her life in the traditional cowboy trades.
Silverwork for Human Use
Saturday, September 13 | 12-2 PM
SILVERSMITHING AND THE MAKING OF ONE-OF-A-KIND WESTERN JEWELRY
Join renowned silversmith Amy Erickson for a hands-on workshop to learn Western silversmith techniques used in jewelry making. For more information and to pre-register for the hands-on workshop, please call or text Nicole at 217 280-0779. Modest fee for materials for workshops.
Friday, September 19 12-2 PM
MEET THE MASTER SILVERSMITH DAVE ALDERSON TO EXPLORE WESTERN TRADITION
Master craftsman Dave Alderson will demonstrate silverwork engraving techniques and share his knowledge of the Western traditions of silversmithing.
Saturday, September 20 12-2 PM
SPECIAL SHOW AND SALE WITH SILVERSMITH DAVE ALDERSON
Meet master silversmith Dave Alderson and enjoy a special show and sale of unique pieces of silver work. Dave’s functional artwork ranges from belt buckles and whiskey flasks to jewelry and scarf sliders, all expertly engraved.
Wednesday, September 24 | 6-7:30 PM
BEERS AND BANTER RANCHING IN JACKSON HOLE
Join the History Musuem and CTA for a local history happy hour with local ranching guest speakers including the regional perspective of Nicole Forsberg, the Cowboy Trades Association’s Executive Director.
Saturday, September 27 |2 -4 PM
SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL SILVERSMITHS WORKING IN THE WESTERN TRADITION
Local silversmiths will gather to talk about their work and inspiration – and why they choose to work in this tradition. This is also a special show and sale of some of their favorite pieces.
Heritage Days: Continuing our Heritage
Saddle Up! Heritage Days is a weekend event with kick-off Thursday evening Oct 9 and two full days of activities Oct 10-11. This is the first annual Jackson Hole Heritage Days event, with the goal of wide community participation in celebrating our ranching and equestrian heritage. Friday and Saturday events will take place in several sites around town. More details to be announced in September. For more information and invitation to participate, see the Cowboy Trades Association website
www.cowboytradesassociation.com.
Thursday, October 9 | 5:30-7:00 PM
HERITAGE DAYS KICK-OFF ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS
Inviting kids from Jackson and all surrounding communities to share stories, photos, artwork about their favorite horse. Young people are also invited to share an essay about why they like horses — can you find the words to explain that? Evening is a sharing of these stories and art.
Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11 | 10 AM – 5 PM
JOIN ARTISTS JOHN BLAIR, FRANK ANNIGHOFER AND LARRY LORANG at various locations around town TBA
Featured artists for this weekend are saddle maker John Blair, silversmith Larry Lorang and artist blacksmith Frank Annighofer, with a focus on educating the public about these traditional cowboy trades and why they matter.
YOUTH PROGRAMS LOVE OF HORSES
More details to be announced in October. All ideas for participation welcome for grades K-12. For more information and invitation to participate, see the Cowboy Trades Association website at www.cowboytradesassociation.com.
