Often being lone stewards of the land, cowboys needed to learn to repair and even make the very equipment integral to their vocation. Thanks to the efforts of those dedicated to these distinctive Western crafts, the production of such objects still flourishes today, being sought after by collectors. Cowboy Craft highlights the exceptional handcrafted work made by members of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association.
Cowboy Craft: Traditional Art of the West includes work by Cary Schwarz, who is featured in the 2025 Craft in America episode, WEST.
Edward H. Bohlin
Wilson Capron
Beau Compton
Shawn Didyoung
Carol Gessell
Scott Hardy
Bill Heisman
Leland Hensley
Larry Lorang
Pablo Lozano
Ernie Marsh
Luis B. Ortega
Jorge Tello
Cary Schwarz
John Willemsma
Virtual Gallery
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Cowboy Craft, installation view, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Beau Compton, Cross Necklace, 2025. Photo: Madison Metro Beau Compton, Cowboy Stein, 2016. Photo: Madison Metro Beau Compton, Cowboy Stein, detail, 2016. Photo: Madison Metro Scott Hardy, Cowboy Craft, Three Piece Buckle Set, 2016. Photo: Madison Metro Scott Hardy, Cowboy Craft, Three Piece Buckle Set, detail, 2016. Photo: Madison Metro Shawn Didyoung, Cross Pendant, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Shawn Didyoung, Cross Pendant, detail, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Cowboy Craft, installation view, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Cowboy Craft, Saddles, (Left to right: Cary Schwarz, Carol Gessell, John Willemsma), installation view, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Cary Schwarz, Saddle, detail, 2022. Photo: Madison Metro Cary Schwarz, Saddle, detail, 2022. Photo: Madison Metro Cary Schwarz, Saddle, detail, 2022. Photo: Madison Metro Cary Schwarz, Saddle, detail, 2022. Photo: Madison Metro Cary Schwarz, Saddle, detail, 2022. Photo: Madison Metro Cary Schwarz, Saddle, detail, 2022. Photo: Madison Metro Carol Gessell, Saddle, detail, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Carol Gessell, Saddle, detail, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Carol Gessell, Saddle, detail, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro John Willemsma, For the Girls Who Rode Wild Horses Saddle, detail, 2019. Photo: Madison Metro John Willemsma, For the Girls Who Rode Wild Horses Saddle, detail, 2019. Photo: Madison Metro John Willemsma, For the Girls Who Rode Wild Horses Saddle, detail, 2019. Photo: Madison Metro John Willemsma, For the Girls Who Rode Wild Horses Saddle, detail, 2019. Photo: Madison Metro Cowboy Craft, installation view, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Cary Schwarz, Leather Tote, 2009. Photo: Madison Metro Cary Schwarz, Leather Tote, detail, 2009. Photo: Madison Metro Cary Schwarz, Leather Tote, detail, 2009. Photo: Madison MetroCary Schwarz, Leather Tote, detail, 2009. Photo: Madison Metro Pablo Lozano, Hackamores and Hobbles, 2025, installation view. Photo: Madison Metro Pablo Lozano, Hackamore, 2025. Photo: Madison Metro Pablo Lozano, Hobbles, 2025. Photo: Madison Metro Pablo Lozano, Hackamore, 2025. Photo: Madison Metro Pablo Lozano, Hackamore, detail, 2025. Photo: Madison Metro Pablo Lozano, Hackamore, detail, 2025. Photo: Madison Metro Pablo Lozano, Hackamore, detail, 2025. Photo: Madison Metro Ernie Marsh, 7 Bit #311, 2019. Photo: Madison Metro Ernie Marsh, Spurs #257, 2020. Photo: Madison Metro Ernie Marsh, Spurs #257, detail, 2020. Photo: Madison Metro Cowboy Craft, installation view, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Bill Heisman, Tooled Leather Cuffs, 1980s. Photo: Madison Metro Bill Heisman, Silver Mounted California Style Spurs, 1990s. Photo: Madison Metro Bill Heisman, Silver Mounted California Style Spurs, detail, 1990s. Photo: Madison Metro Bill Heisman, Silver Mounted California Style Spurs, detail, 1990s. Photo: Madison Metro Edward H. Bohlin, “Flying E Ranch” Parade Spurs, 1940s. Photo: Madison Metro Edward H. Bohlin, “Flying E Ranch” Parade Spurs, 1940s. Photo: Madison Metro Edward H. Bohlin, Hollywood, Calif Parade Spurs (“AM”), 1950s. Photo: Madison Metro Cowboy Craft, installation view, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Leland Hensley, Reins, 2015. Photo: Madison Metro Larry Lorang, Barqueno Spade Bit, 2025. Photo: Madison Metro Wilson Capron, California Spurs, 2020. Photo: Madison Metro Wilson Capron, Heart of Gold Spurs, 2018. Photo: Madison MetroWilson Capron, Heart of Gold Spurs, detail, 2018. Photo: Madison Metro Wilson Capron, Circle Santa Barbara Bit, 2005. Photo: Madison MetroCowboy Craft, installation view, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Luis B. Ortega, Santa Ynez Reins and Braided Heart-shaped Martingale, 1970s. Photo: Madison Metro Luis B. Ortega, Santa Ynez Reins, detail, 1970s. Photo: Madison Metro Luis B. Ortega, Braided Heart-shaped Martingale, detail, 1970s. Photo: Madison Metro Jorge Tello, Casa del Mariachi, Trajes de Charro y Charra, installation view, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Jorge Tello, Casa del Mariachi, Trajes de Charro, detail, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro Jorge Tello, Casa del Mariachi, Trajes de Charra, detail, 2026. Photo: Madison Metro
Cowboy Craft is part of Handwork 2026, a nationwide semiquincentennial collaboration celebrating the diversity of craft that defines America.
