Rooted in the working traditions of the American West, the new Traveling Interactive Exhibit from the Cowboy Trades Association brings the skills, stories, and tools of cowboy craftsmanship directly to communities across the Rocky Mountain region. Curated by a collective of cowboy tradespeople led by Jim Brainard, a Colorado master boot maker, the exhibition will travel the area throughout 2026.
The hands-on exhibition celebrates the trades that have long supported life on the range, bridging the past and present through craft, function, and lived experience. Visitors are invited to step into the world of saddlemakers, leatherworkers, silversmiths, bit-and-spur makers, blacksmiths, hatmakers, boot makers, and other artisans whose knowledge has been shaped by necessity, landscape, and tradition.
Audience members are encouraged to see and touch in order to better understand how raw materials are transformed into essential tools of the trade. The goal is not to produce a finished heirloom piece on site, but to give visitors a tactile understanding of the patience, control, and craftsmanship required. Demonstrations, interpretive displays, and maker-led conversations offer a deeper appreciation for the skill and ingenuity behind everyday cowboy gear.
The exhibition is set to appear at key Western events, including the Rocky Mountain Leather Trade Show in Sheridan, Wyoming, from May 15 to 17, situating it in the heart of a community deeply connected to leathercraft and working Western traditions.
Through the traveling exhibition, the Cowboy Trades Association continues its mission to preserve and promote cowboy trades by meeting people where they are, sparking curiosity, honoring heritage, and ensuring the vital skills of Western tradespeople remain relevant for generations to come.
“The cowboy trades are alive and well and we want to sustain them,” says Brainard.
A saddle made by Keith Seidel appears in the exhibition.
