Experience the Diverse Talents of Western Women at the Fifth Annual Art of the Cowgirl Gathering
Cowgirls are as diverse as the boots and hats they wear and the horses they ride. Some make their living horseback, while others go from the boardroom to the barn. Cowgirl artists express their takes on the West through a variety of mediums, including paint, clay, silver, leather, rawhide, poetry and music. Art of the Cowgirl, founded by Montana horsewoman Tammy Pate, celebrates and perpetuates the timeless talents of Western women through educational fellowships, competitions and special events. The fifth annual Art of the Cowgirl main gathering returns to Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek, Arizona, January 18-22, 2023, with a full schedule of exciting opportunities that will immerse male and female attendees in the Western lifestyle. The heart of Art of the Cowgirl is its fellowship program, which unites emerging female artisans in traditional trades such as silversmithing, leathercraft, bootmaking, horse training and fine art with masters in those fields. The gathering is a fundraiser to facilitate these partnerships, which empower and educate women while honoring Western heritage.
The upcoming event will include hands-on workshops, horsemanship demonstrations, artist and maker presentations, panel discussions and a silent art auction. In the arenas, skilled horsewomen will compete in ranch rodeo, breakaway roping and the third annual World’s Greatest Horsewoman competition. New to the event, world champion reined cow horse trainer Erin Taormino will offer a youth cow horse clinic, followed by a youth cow horse competition. Throughout the weekend, a curated trade show will showcase original art, apparel, gear, gifts and accessories made by cowgirl artisans. Cowgirl musicians will perform on the stage and chuckwagon cooks will have their fires burning and serving samples of their camp-style cuisine. The gathering culminates with the Elite Ranch Horse Sale, featuring select horses trained by top horsewomen. For those wanting the ultimate Art of the Cowgirl experience, VIP tickets will be available. VIPs receive priority seating and parking, a swag bag and invitations to special events and receptions where they can mingle with the masters and other influential people in the Western industry. They also get to attend a new addition to Art of the Cowgirl: a compelling quick-draw competition co-hosted by the Cowgirl Artists of America. The artists will also be making their marks on range teepees, which will be sold to raise money for the fellowship
Art of the Cowgirl Showcases All Women’s Ranch Rodeo in Las Vegas For five years, Art of the Cowgirl has set the standard in all women’s ranch rodeo competition. Forty tough four-woman teams from throughout the western United States and Canada have competed at its annual main event. On December 6, Art of the Cowgirl is bringing all women’s ranch rodeo to Rodeo World at Resorts World in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We’re inviting the champion teams from our past events to compete in four events with 100 percent payback,” says Mesa Pate, producer of Art of the Cowgirl’s ranch rodeo events. “We’re hoping to showcase what Art of the Cowgirl and our ranch rodeo is all about.” The ranch rodeo will be held at 1 p.m. and is free to the public. It’s just one of the events being held at Resorts World during the week of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which draws hundreds of thousands of rodeo fans from around the world. There will also be a Cowboy Makers Market, Cowboys Select Horse Sale, breakaway roping, the Bullfighters Only World Championship and 32
more. “Rodeo’s roots are in ranching and holding this all women’s ranch rodeo during NFR week pays homage to the women who competed in early rodeos,” says Pate. “We feel it’s a good way for Art of the Cowgirl to have a presence during the NFR and give spectators a taste of what’s to come in January at our main event.” Founded in 2019 by Montana horsewoman Tammy Pate, Art of the Cowgirl celebrates the role of women in rodeo, ranching, the horse industry and traditional western trades. The Art of the Cowgirl main event will be held January 18-22, 2023, at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek Arizona. It features educational workshops, musical entertainment, a curated trade show of handmade western items, the World’s Greatest Horsewoman and all women’s ranch rodeo competition, and the Elite Ranch Horse Sale. The event supports the Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship program, which pairs emerging female artisans in traditional western trades such as saddlemaking, bootmaking, silversmithing, rawhide braiding, western art and horse training with masters in their fields.
NOVEMBER 2022
