Saddle Making 2023 Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship Application

*** IF YOU HAVE ANY ISSUES COMPLETING OR SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION, PLEASE CONTACT JAIMIE STOLTZFUS AT JAIMIE@ARTOFTHECOWGIRL.COM

DEADLINE: March 31, 2023, recipient will be notified no later than April 30, 2023

Our Mission

The Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship Program will encourage, promote and invest in the development of emerging artists and makers engaged in the unique arts, trades, and horsemanship of the western lifestyle while celebrating tradition and inspiring innovation through mentorship from established leaders in their fields. Through this program, Art of the Cowgirl will foster creativity and will work to preserve traditional art techniques and functional gear.

The Fellowship Program is Tammy Pate’s original dream of providing an opportunity for western artists to work with masters-- a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn or refine their passion with some of the most talented makers in the business. Whether it be a fine art, functional trade or horsemanship, these fellowships will enrich, empower and educate while honoring our western heritage. The fellowship seeks to remove obstacles such as funding and access for up and coming artists, without restriction of age or location.

Program Details:

* Recipient may receive: supplies and materials, travel, room and board at Master’s location, travel expenses to Art of the Cowgirl event for presentation to be determined by Art of the Cowgirl

* Each recipient to have a completed piece of work or agreed upon task at conclusion of fellowship period

* Recipients will be required to complete fellowships in same calendar year as award received and present work at next Art of the Cowgirl event (must be completed in 2023 calendar year)

*Recipients will be required to sign contracts and releases before funds will be released

*Recipients will be required to donate an item to the 2024 Fellowship Art Auction (does not have to be piece completed during Fellowship)

* Recipients will be chosen by Fellowship Selection committee

Recipient Requirements:

* 18 years of age or older

* Open to both men and women

* Able to complete fellowship before Dec. 31st of the calendar year in which the award is provided.

* Able to attend and present work at Art of the Cowgirl January 2024 in Arizona

* Meet minimum skill and experience requirement as determined by Master

* While individuals may apply for fellowships more than once and more than one fellowship, selected recipients may not be awarded fellowship more than once

About Master Saddle Maker John Willemsma

John Willemsma grew up spending time at the horse stables surrounding his home in southern California . After leaving California and moving with his parents to the Netherlands and then to Virginia he continued to ride and compete in rodeos .John returned to the west in 1976 moving to Amarillo Tx. where he attended a saddlemaking trade school . After a year in Texas he would spend the next 10 years working in saddle shops in Kansas ,New Mexico and Oklahoma opening his own shop in 1987 . His first introduction to seeing saddles as “Functional Art” came in 1988 when he was invited to show his work at the “ Trappings of the American West“ in Flagstaff Az. Seeing and being influenced by the work of contemporary masters such as Dale Harwood, Don King and Chuck Stormes led John on journey that he continues to this day .

After 48 years of designing and building saddles Willemsma still prefers to draw his own original floral designs …a mix of Early California and what he describes as New California style on paper before he transfers it on to the leather as it allows him to create a more intricate pattern . His experience in both the roping pen and working cattle outside give him the unique perspective of being able to keep one foot in the Cowboy world and the other in the growing interest in Western Art and collectibles. John has been a member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association since 2008 and has served as an officer and President.

John and his wife Debbie live in the Wet Mountain Valley out side of Westcliffe, Colorado

Fellowship Details

Fellowship will consist of two separate trips to John’s shop (5 days each) for a total of a 10 day fellowship. Recipient will have a completed saddle to take home at the end of the Fellowship.

All travel and lodging expenses will be covered by Art of the Cowgirl. Recipient must provide proof of insurance and sign a liability release before the Fellowship time.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT FOR SADDLE MAKING FELLOWSHIP:

1) Must have previous saddle making experience.

2) Must have basic leather cutting and sewing skills and tools

3) Physically capable of long days of leather work

Name

First NameLast Name

Email

example@example.com

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Please tell us about yourself.

Please tell us your experience with saddle making.

Please tell us your future goals with saddle making.

Please tell us what it would mean to you to receive this Fellowship.

Please tell us what tools you currently have.

Please tell us the biggest challenge you have faced on your saddle making journey.

Have you taken any classes or learned from any other saddle makers in the past?

Please upload 6 photos of your work.

I ensure I am 18 years or older and all information and photos on this application are a true representation of my work.