Lisa Sorrell Joins the Legends: Celebrating Art of the Cowgirl Masters in the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame
Honoring the women whose courage, craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication have shaped the Western way of life.
There are some women who follow tradition, and there are women who become part of its history.
Across generations, the American West has been shaped by extraordinary women whose determination, independence, and remarkable talents have left an undeniable mark on Western heritage. They are horsewomen, artists, ranchers, craftsmen, and pioneers. Women who have spent lifetimes perfecting their trades, challenging expectations, and preserving traditions that deserve to be carried forward.
Their stories are not simply chapters in Western history. They are the very foundation upon which its future is built.
The National Cowgirl Museum & Hall of Fame exists to honor these women. Dedicated to celebrating the courage, resilience, and independence of women of the West, the Museum preserves their stories and recognizes their extraordinary contributions to American history and culture. Through education, storytelling, and preservation, it ensures that their legacies continue to inspire generations yet to come.
Induction into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame is among the most prestigious honors a woman in the Western industry can receive. It is a recognition of a life devoted to excellence, leadership, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of the cowgirl.
For Art of the Cowgirl, that recognition carries an especially profound meaning.
Among the women who have served as Masters within the Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship Program are an extraordinary group of National Cowgirl Hall of Fame honorees. Women who have not only achieved greatness in their respective disciplines but have chosen to share their knowledge, experience, and passion with the next generation.
Their accomplishments are remarkable. Their willingness to pass them forward is what makes their legacies even more powerful.
Celebrating the 2026 Induction of Master Bootmaker Lisa Sorrell
In 2026, another extraordinary name joins the distinguished ranks of the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame: Lisa Sorrell.
A master bootmaker based in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Sorrell is widely regarded as one of the finest custom cowboy boot artisans in the world. Her work represents an exceptional marriage of artistry, precision, and tradition, transforming a practical piece of Western footwear into something worthy of preservation for generations.
Through decades of dedication to her craft, Sorrell has earned international acclaim for her intricate designs, innovative techniques, and uncompromising commitment to excellence. Her handmade boots have been featured in museums, exhibitions, and publications celebrating the finest examples of Western artistry.
Yet her influence reaches far beyond the remarkable boots she creates.
As a teacher, mentor, and passionate advocate for traditional craftsmanship, Sorrell has dedicated herself to ensuring that the knowledge and techniques behind custom bootmaking are not lost to time. She understands that preserving a craft requires more than mastering it. It requires the willingness to share it.
Her recognition as a 2026 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame honoree celebrates not only her exceptional talent but also her lasting contribution to the future of Western craftsmanship.
For Art of the Cowgirl, it is another powerful reminder of what happens when extraordinary women dedicate their lives to something greater than themselves.
A Distinguished Legacy of Art of the Cowgirl Masters
Lisa Sorrell joins an exceptional group of women whose names have become synonymous with excellence across the Western industry. Each has brought her own remarkable experience, accomplishments, and perspective to Art of the Cowgirl, helping create opportunities for others to learn from the very best.
Nancy Martiny | Master Saddle Maker
An Art of the Cowgirl Master Saddle Maker in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024, and 2026, Nancy Martiny represents the artistry, discipline, and dedication required to preserve one of the West’s most respected trades. Her craftsmanship reflects a deep understanding of the horse, the rider, and the traditions of saddle making. Through her continued involvement with Art of the Cowgirl, Martiny has helped carry forward the knowledge and skills that make handcrafted Western saddles so extraordinary.
Lari Dee Guy | Master Breakaway Roping
Few names command the respect in women’s roping that Lari Dee Guy has earned throughout her remarkable career. An Art of the Cowgirl Master in 2022 and 2026, Guy represents the competitive excellence, determination, and leadership that have helped elevate opportunities for women in rodeo. Her influence extends well beyond the arena, inspiring generations of female athletes to pursue their ambitions with confidence and an unwavering belief in what is possible.
Shorty Koger | Master Hat Maker
A true original in the world of Western craftsmanship, Shorty Koger has built a legacy around individuality, artistry, and an unmistakable passion for the cowboy hat. Serving as an Art of the Cowgirl Master Hat Maker in 2022 and 2025, Koger embodies the independent spirit of the West. Her dedication to her craft has helped redefine what it means to create something both deeply traditional and entirely one’s own.
Barbra Schulte | Master Horsewoman
An Art of the Cowgirl Master Horsewoman in 2024, Barbra Schulte has devoted her career to helping riders develop confidence, strengthen their mental approach, and deepen their connection with their horses. Her influence reaches beyond horsemanship techniques, empowering others to recognize their potential and approach challenges with courage and purpose. Her legacy is a testament to the power of mentorship and the belief that true excellence begins within.
Sandy Collier | Master Horsewoman
As a 2020 Art of the Cowgirl Master Horsewoman, Sandy Collier brought a lifetime of exceptional horsemanship and competitive achievement to the Fellowship Program. A trailblazer in the cutting horse industry, Collier has helped open doors and redefine expectations for women competing at the highest levels. Her accomplishments stand as a powerful example of what determination, talent, and an uncompromising work ethic can achieve.
Deborah Copenhaver Fellows | Master Fine Artist
Western art has long served as a way of preserving the stories, personalities, and traditions of the American West. Deborah Copenhaver Fellows has made an extraordinary contribution to that legacy through her celebrated artistic career. As a 2022 Art of the Cowgirl Master Fine Artist, she represents the remarkable ability of art to capture the spirit of Western life and ensure that its stories endure. Her work and mentorship reflect the importance of creativity in preserving our shared heritage.
Terry Forst | Master of Ranching
The heart of the West has always been found in the people who work its land, care for its livestock, and carry forward its traditions. Terry Forst, an Art of the Cowgirl Master of Ranching in 2024, represents the strength, leadership, and perseverance of women in agriculture. Her lifetime of dedication to ranching reflects the enduring values of hard work, responsibility, and stewardship that have shaped the Western way of life for generations.
Lindy Burch | Master Horsewoman
A pioneer in the cutting horse industry, Lindy Burch has established a legacy of excellence through her extraordinary accomplishments as a horsewoman and competitor. Serving as an Art of the Cowgirl Master Horsewoman in 2021, Burch represents the determination and skill required to succeed in one of the most demanding disciplines in the horse industry. Her influence continues to encourage women to pursue excellence, break barriers, and recognize that their place in the arena is one they have earned.
Barbara Van Cleve | Master Photographer
Few artists have captured the authentic spirit of the American West quite like Barbara Van Cleve. An Art of the Cowgirl Master Photographer in 2020 and 2023, Van Cleve has dedicated her life to documenting Western landscapes, ranching traditions, and the people who live them. Her photography is more than imagery. It is history, emotion, and storytelling preserved through the lens. Her work ensures that the beauty, strength, and everyday realities of Western life remain visible for generations to come.
Sheila Kirkpatrick | Master Hat Maker
As a 2020 Art of the Cowgirl Master Hat Maker, Sheila Kirkpatrick represents the importance of preserving the traditional skills and craftsmanship that define Western artistry. Her dedication to the craft of hat making reflects the patience, precision, and creative vision required to transform raw materials into something both functional and deeply personal. Through mentorship, her knowledge becomes part of a larger legacy that continues long after the work itself is complete.
More Than an Honor. A Legacy Passed Forward.
What makes these women extraordinary is not simply the awards they have earned, the records they have set, or the recognition they have received.
It is what they have chosen to do with a lifetime of knowledge.
Each has reached a level of excellence that few ever achieve. Each has helped shape her respective industry, often navigating challenges, overcoming expectations, and creating opportunities that did not previously exist.
And each has understood the importance of giving something back.
That belief lives at the very heart of Art of the Cowgirl.
Through the Fellowship Program, accomplished Masters share their skills, experiences, and wisdom with emerging talents, creating a connection between generations that ensures Western traditions continue to evolve without losing sight of where they began.
The relationship between Art of the Cowgirl and the extraordinary women recognized by the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame is a reflection of a shared purpose: to honor the women who built the West while empowering those who will shape its future.
We are immensely proud to celebrate Lisa Sorrell’s recognition as a 2026 honoree and to recognize the remarkable women who have served as Art of the Cowgirl Masters and earned their place among the legends of the West.
Their names are etched into Western history. Their influence can be seen in the hands of the artisans they have taught, the confidence of the horsewomen they have encouraged, and the dreams of young women who now know what is possible.
Because the greatest measure of a legacy is not simply what one woman accomplishes in her lifetime.
It is what she inspires another woman to believe she can accomplish in hers.
To our Masters, past and present, thank you for the trails you have blazed, the traditions you have preserved, and the generations you continue to inspire.
Your legacy is our inspiration. And the future of the cowgirl is stronger because of you.
