About Art of the Cowgirl

 

Mission Statement
In order to encourage and assist emerging artists of the western genre, Art of the Cowgirl provides a showcase through an annual gathering that celebrates cowgirls and their artistic contributions to western lifestyle. In so doing, it raises the necessary funds to support emerging artists in expanding their knowledge and skills via fellowships with master artists in their field.
Personal Invitation from Tammy Pate
Please join us for “The Art of the Cowgirl” as we celebrate, gather and connect western women around horses and western art. We will feature female makers, including master artists, silversmiths, braiders, saddle makers and horsewomen. The event will not only provide entertainment and honor women of the west, but also provide fellowships to individuals to further their knowledge with master artists in the trade of choice. The contributions of these cowgirl makers are truly worth celebrating and we look forward to sharing them with you.
Our Goal
  • Gather and celebrate cowgirl artists that contribute to western lifestyle and culture through their mastery of their trades
  • Raise funds for fellowship program to continue education in traditional cowgirl trades to keep these traditions alive
  • Educate with horsemanship demonstrations, ranch horse sale and sanctioned all-women ranch rodeo
  • Entertainment and shopping with exclusive western vendors, live music
  • Cultivate and grow collaborative relationships celebrating the western spirit

Our Team

 

Tammy Pate

Founder

Tammy Pate was born and raised in Montana, and has a long family history rich with rodeo and ranching roots. Her parents, Gordon and Shirley Clark, raised her horseback and provided a childhood filled with horses and rodeo. Tammy attributes her love of the western lifestyle and especially her appreciation for the cowgirl spirit to her grandma Betty Kunesh, a true pioneer woman who could break horses as well as she can bake a pie. Along with being a horsewoman, Tammy has created her own name in the horsemanship world, one of her foundation events being “Experience Horses and Yoga,” at the Home Ranch in Colorado, which boasts the prestigious Relais and Chateaux mark of approval. Tammy is an artist and boot maker. She is passionate about the western lifestyle and the art and craftsmanship this way of life provides

Mesa Pate

World’s Greatest Horsewoman, Ranch Rodeo, and Elite Ranch Horse Sale Director

Mesa Pate was born and raised in the ranching community of Montana. Her life began on a ranch, and that way of life runs deep in her veins. Growing up her parents traveled the country putting on horse training demonstrations and clinics. Mesa was exposed to different people and cultures and all different types of cattle, horses and handling techniques from a very young age. Curt Pate has created a name for the Pate’s in the livestock industry by putting on low-stress livestock handling workshops and demonstrations. Through that, Mesa was exposed to a very innovative way of handling animals and practices that today. She is an advocate for animal welfare and is involved with working to create a healthier environment for livestock and to promote a good image for the livestock industry.

Jaimie Stoltzfus

Fellowship and Sponsorship Director

Jaimie was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and the love of horses ran deep from a young age. She had the privilege of studying under some amazing horsemen and women growing up which only deepened her desire for learning the art of horsemanship. Jaimie attended Colorado State University and obtained a degree in Ag Business and Equine Science. Jaimie and her husband Austin now manage Griffin Land and Cattle outside of Billings, MT with their two young children.

Jaimie enjoys raising high quality meat and founded Cowgirl Meat Company to sell pork and beef direct from the ranch to consumers across the US. Jaimie also has a heart for helping people and offers workshops and retreats through her equine coaching business, Spurring Change. You will usually find Jaimie with her two young kids alongside her “learning the ropes”, enjoying the lifestyle they love.

Marilyn Callaway

Tradeshow Director

Marilyn Callaway grew up on a ranch west of Calgary, Alberta spending much of her youth horseback alongside her Dad and Grandpa. For the past 36 years she has called Priddis, Alberta home and has continued to be involved with agriculture and the western way of life while raising her three daughters.

Marilyn was a partner in a national livestock magazine for 14 years, the leader of the local 4-H club and supported her daughters through musical ride, high school rodeo and trick riding amongst other directions their hearts led them.

Her summers are spent competing in the Senior Pro Rodeo Association where she is the current break away roping director, as well as competing in break away roping and barrel racing jackpots around Alberta.  When the summer rodeos wind down and fall approaches she enjoys going to the pasture helping with the fall round up.  Early morning gathering and sorting are the best way to start the day.

Sierra Brown

Ranch Rodeo Director

Sierra grew up in a small town in Northwestern Nevada, and spent her summers working on herfamily’s ranch in Bridgeport, CA. After high school, she attended Baylor University in Texas where she earned a degree in Chemistry before commissioning as an officer into the Air Force. She recently moved to Montana where she serves on active duty as a Nuclear Weapons Officer at Malmstrom Air Force Base. She and her husband Eli live and work on a ranch south of Great Falls in the Little Belt Mountains.  When she isn’t on base she enjoys making working cowboy gear, riding colts, and working on the ranch with her husband.