CONNECT + COLLABORATE
at our Art of the Cowgirl Gatherings

OKLAHOMA GATHERING
OCTOBER 10-12, 2025
Pawhuska, Oklahoma

Registration Opens August 5th, 2025
Join us at the Oklahoma Gathering taking place at the Osage County Fairgrounds and historic Cross Bell Ranch in Pawhuska.
A variety of workshops & clinics will be offered throughout the weekend. On Friday evening, there will be a fundraising event at the Cross Bell Ranch—with food, drink, music, and more—bringing the community together in support of the Foundation’s mission.
A highlight of this year’s Oklahoma Gathering is our Upholstery Retreat with Sierra Shores of The Rusted Roan Design, Co. In this immersive 3-day workshop you’ll be guided through the upholstery process from the foundation to the finishing details. You’ll leave with not just a finished piece—but the skills and confidence to tackle more projects on your own. All lodging and meals are included in the retreat fee. See Sierra’s workshop below for complete details.
The Foundation is always accepting items for the silent auctions held in conjunction with our Gatherings. 100% of the proceeds go towards the Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship program. If you would like to make a donation for the Oklahoma Gathering silent auction please contact us.
WORKSHOPS + CLINICS
UPHOLSTERY RETREAT
with Sierra Shores
Ready to take on an upholstery project with expert support every step of the way? In this immersive 3-day workshop, you’ll bring your own upholstered chair frame (torn all the way down to the bare frame)—a rocking chair, open armchair, Parson’s Chair or similar sized frame—and you’ll be guided through the process from the foundation to the finishing details.
You’ll learn foundational and advanced techniques including webbing, padding, spring tying (if applicable), and how to work with specialty materials like leather, hair-on-hide, and decorative nails. You’ll leave with not just a finished piece—but the skills and confidence to tackle more projects on your own. Retreat is limited to 5 participants!

THE CROSS BELL
Eugene Claremont “Gene” Mullendore was born in 1905 in Cleveland, Oklahoma while Kathleen Boren was born 1905 in Caney, Kansas. Her parents rode 45 miles on their horses to register Kathleen’s birth at the Osage Indian Agency. Thus making her eligible as an original allottee to receive Osage Headright. Each allotte was issued 640 acres and an interest in Mineral Rights owned by the Tribe.
The main Cross Bell Headquarters are located on that original 640 acres. On December 21, 1926 Kathleen and Gene were married in Caney, Kansas. Together they built an empire which, at one time, covered more than 130,000 acres along the Kansas/Oklahoma border. They focused on breeding fine Quarter Horses to work the large cattle operation they had developed. They raised the best of the best Hereford cattle and were recognized as the largest cattle shippers ever on the Santa Fe Railroad. The Ranch also raised hogs for market and to feed the Mullendore Family and the cowboys and their families. Large goat herds were used keep the land clear and dairy cattle supplied milk and butter for everyone on the Ranch. Sheep were sheered to make their blankets.
The Cross Bell also had farmland which produced wheat, corn, apples, pecans, and potatoes. They baled hay and in the winter when the animals had to be fed, they used wagon teams pulled by mules. The Mullendore mules were known as the best in the Country. At one point, 600 head were sent to Kansas City to be sold to the Government to be used in the war. Although the Ranch contained a multitude of animals, their true love was the American Quarter Horse and the challenge of acquiring the best Stallions and Mares to improve the quality of their horses. Among those were Little King, Cee Bar Badger, Roan Hancock, Bill Doolin, Doolin Bill, Rack Pal, Johnny Keen and Lowry Boy. Their foundation bloodlines included Hank H, Three Bars, Vandy, Leo, Bacon Rind and Peter McCue. The ranch was inducted into the OQHA Hall of Fame.
The ranch and its history are a true example of the tradition of the American Frontier.
*Cross Bell photos and write-up courtesy Roots + Blooms, Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

PAWHUSKA LODGING
Pawhuska offers a unique blend of history, outdoor recreation, and Western culture, making it a popular tourist destination and a perfect setting for our Art of the Cowgirl Oklahoma Gathering. The town, located on the Osage Nation Reservation, boasts attractions like The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and various museums. You may just want to stay a few extra days!
Be sure to check out these & other destination locations:
