Workshops Overview
2023 Art of the Cowgirl
Queen Creek, Arizona
Join us the week of Art of the Cowgirl for an exclusive opportunity to participate in workshops with Master Artists and Presenters.
Art of the Cowgirl’s mission is to create a space for learning and collaboration. These workshops are designed to provide a unique opportunity to work side by side and learn from some of the best in the industry.
Each workshop is structured differently and priced accordingly. Partial proceeds from the workshops will go towards our Fellowship Program.
*A free ticket to the five day event is included with each workshop registration!*
Silversmith Workshop with Jill Skinner and Matt Litz
January 18th and 19th, 2023
$1250
*Limited to 12 participants*
Build a solid sterling silver belt buckle with overlay and turquoise stones embellishing on the buckle. The class will cover basic soldering, sawing and fabrication techniques and touch base on lots of industry aspects. We will ask student choice of the two buckle style options a few weeks prior to class.
Writer’s Workshop with Joni Harms and Olivia Harms
January 19 and 20, 2023
$295
*Limited to 10 participants*
Wield your pen, strum your strings, rhyme your rhythm and round up your words for Art of the Cowgirl 2023.
This workshop will run on Thursday and Friday, half day sessions each day.
Workshop attendees are also eligible to sign up to present on the Art of the Cowgirl stage during open mic hosted by Ken Jones. If you are a writer, singer, poet, or just a lover of words this class is sure to inspire and challenge you to try new things and appreciate the gift of language. All experience levels welcome.
Rawhide Braiding – Make a Bosal with Bill Ferreira
January 18, 19, and 20, 2023
$625
*Limited to 10 participants*
Spend three days during the Art of the Cowgirl event braiding a two rein bosal with Bill Ferreira. All materials provided. Some basic knowledge of tying Spanish ring knots is helpful.
Participants will braid a 8 braid bosal body with rawhide and a 24 braid nose button with kangaroo leather. You will have a bosal to take home after the workshop!
Armita Building Class with Chelsea Sazama
January 18 and 19, 2023
$975
*Limited to 8 participants*
Each student will build his/her own set of armitas! Armitas are very similar to chinks. The difference is the fringe around the top belt instead of the yokes. Armitas are known to allow for more freedom of movement in the waist area! Plus, they look neat!
Beginners and older youth are welcome! No prior leatherworking experience required.
We will be doing quite a bit of hammering, cutting with sharp knives/scissors, etc. I will provide sewing machines to use. No prior sewing experience required.
Drawing Class with Wilson Capron
January 18 and 19, 2023
$750
*Limited to 12 participants*
This class will cover the concepts used to design an aesthetically pleasing piece of art that tells a story with meaning and purpose. Students will be introduced to techniques that help free up the creative spirit while laying out designs.
Wilson will introduce everyone to a few books that provide curriculum that will help students to learn to draw and design. Guidelines for scroll construction and flow will be discussed that will help anyone working with leather, silver, or steel. We will explore various ways to deal with borders and irregular shapes.
The purpose of the class in short is to get the students to relax and learn how to get the feeling they have inside out of themselves and on to paper.
Great for all experience levels and interests.
Materials needed: Pencil and sketchbook
Beading Class with Melanie Kimpton Weyant
January 18 and 19, 2023
$395
*Limited to 18 participants*
Students will learn: Different bead types and sizes and learn to work with two of the most common types (Toho and Miyuki), different threads and thread types and be able to work with a variety to find what works for them, how to do a brick stitch, how to make fringe earrings, pattern making, demonstrations on Loom Beading and finishing off loom work.
Students will walk away with at least 2 completed earrings as well as a starter kit that they will use throughout the class with enough materials and beads to continue beading at home.
Leather Carving Class with Nancy Martiny
January 18 and 19, 2023
$395
*Limited to 12 participants*
Join Nancy Martiny of Martiny Saddle Co. for a beginner level leather carving class. Instruction will include demonstrations by the instructor and hands-on practice by the students. In this class you will learn the basics of carving and stamping leather and coloring and finishing carved leather.
Class fee will cover all tools needed, materials for two leather cuffs, leather for practice, individual tool sets, tooling surface, and products for coloring and finishing leather. Participants will have the option of purchasing the tool sets after the class.
Class time will involve learning the basics of hand carving leather, as well as practicing and applying them to a leather project. Each student will receive personal one-on-one coaching, as well as addressing group questions. Be prepared to ask questions and share with the class.
Students will benefit from bringing their own notebook, pencil, and sketch paper. Cameras are welcome.
THIS IS A COMPLETE BEGINNER LEVEL CLASS. ABSOLUTELY NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! If you are interested in learning the basics of this skill, please do not let the lack of knowledge keep you from joining the class. Ages 15 and older.
Throw Pillow Class Learning Inlay and Overlay with Lisa Sorrell
January 18 and 19, 2023
$525
*Limited to 6 participants*
This class will be two days of learning leather inlay and overlay with cowboy boot maker Lisa Sorrell. At the end of class you will have a completed 14×14” leather throw pillow.
Class will begin with an explanation of techniques used in leather inlay and overlay, followed by skiving practice. We’ll talk about how to create patterns for leather inlay and overlay, and what makes a successful design, then each student will design and create their own leather throw pillow.
All tools and leather will be provided. Lisa will bring a sewing machine and demonstrate sewing techniques, and she will do the decorative stitching on each project.
A 1” skiving knife and Lisa’s book “The Art of Leather Inlay and Overlay” will be given to each student.
Photography Retreat with Kimberly Beer and Phyllis Burchett
January 18-22, 2023
$1250
*Limited to 10 participants*
Spend 5 days with 2 professional equine photographers! Learn professional techniques for photographing events and the process of working with and photographing horses, models, and candid images alongside Kim and Phyllis. In addition to photography techniques, you will also learn about the business of being a professional equine photographer!
This clinic will include an all-access press pass to Art of the Cowgirl where you will be one of the event photographers while learning from Kim and Phyllis. All photographs taken during the retreat will be utilized by Art of the Cowgirl for marketing use which will be an advantage for getting your name out there for your photography business.
Each participant is responsible for travel, lodging and transportation. We also ask that each participant upload up to 20 web sized images for use by the AOTC organization for marketing use with photographer credit.
Horsemanship Clinic with Trina Morris
January 18 and 19, 2023
$675
*Limited to 15 participants*
Bring your horse and come ride with renowned Horsewoman Trina Morris. In this clinic, you will gain a new understanding of your horse—how they move, why they move, and when to direct them. This class helps horse and human gain confidence and safety, and for the human, the ability to understand the horse.
Remember, horsemanship is easy—get the horse to want to be with you whether you are on the ground or on his back!
Must bring your own horse to participate and stalls are available at Horseshoe Park. Contact Jennifer Broadhead at 480-358-3793.
Cutting Clinic with Cara Brewer Presented by NCHA
January 18 and 19, 2023
$675
*Limited to 15 participants*
Spend two days in the cutting pen with Master Cara Brewer. All levels welcome. You will work on the flag as well as on live cattle. Some areas you will focus on are herd work, setting up cuts, how to control a cow, positioning while working, and going over things judges are looking for.
Must bring your own horse to participate and stalls are available at Horseshoe Park. Contact Jennifer Broadhead at 480-358-3793.
Stock Dog Clinic with Robin Brown
January 18 and 19, 2023
$550
*Limited to 15 participants*
This is a great opportunity to work with one of the best in the cow dog industry, Robin Nuffer. Robin will also be presenting and hosting a cow dog trial at the 2023 Art of the Cowgirl event.
Bring your dog and learn from Robin all aspects of starting and refining your dog’s skills. Open to all levels and all breeds of Cattle dogs. All phases of work will be covered at this event from starting a dog, sending, balancing, driving, and much more. Robin will give individualized instruction to each participant to make sure you get the teaching to the skills you would like to learn or improve upon.
Recreational Packing Clinic with Lisa Barnes
January 18 and 19, 2023
$350
*Limited to 6 participants*
Come learn the ins and outs of back country packing with Lisa Barnes who has over 40 years of experience. In this clinic you will learn: how to prepare a horse to pack, safety and do’s and don’ts of packing, how to properly make loads, knot tying, backcountry gear essentials, safety, and tips, and much more!
You do not need to bring a horse to participate in this class. All students will learn on Lisa’s horses. No experience necessary and all levels welcome.
Breakaway Roping sponsored by Merck Animal Health
With Lari Dee Guy, Hope Thompson, and Donene Taylor
January 18 and 19, 2023
$875
*Limited to 25 participants*
Two day breakaway roping school with three powerful women in the industry. Join Lari Dee Guy, eight time Women’s PRCA World Champion and leading advocate for women in rodeo. She will be joined by World Champion Hope Thompson, and Donene Taylor, Mental Performance Coach and Author of “Heart of a Champion”.
In this clinic you will be learning the fundamentals of breakaway roping and how to improve your runs. Donene will also be leading participants through how to master the mental game to win.
This is a unique opportunity to learn from this dynamic group of women.