Art of the Cowgirl Foundation Offers Six Fellowships in 2026
Breakaway Roping Fellowship with Lari Dee. All photos courtesy of Art of the Cowgirl.
Cowgirls are known for their strength, courage and resilience. Whether they’re working on a ranch, in the arena, at an easel or a workbench, they apply their skills and ingenuity to solve problems and create masterpieces, using their hearts, hands, and creativity.
The late Tammy Pate, founder of Art of the Cowgirl, knew this from experience and sought to celebrate and empower women in Western arts and contemporary trades by breaking barriers to entry, investing in their education, empowering them and enriching their lives, while preserving traditions and inspiring innovation. This is the core of the Art of the Cowgirl Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Art of the Cowgirl.
Horsemanship Fellowship with Lee Smith.
Since 2019, the Foundation has awarded 42 fellowships across a variety of vocations, including horse training, boot making, saddle making, fine art, photography, and packing and outfitting.
“The Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship creates such a unique space for women to learn, build relationships and explore the Western traditions that, even in historically male fields, they have been so essential to building and passing on through families and communities,” says 2025 Packing and Outfitting Fellowship Recipient Claire Voris. “The packing and outfitting world can, from the outside, seem very male-dominated, but women have always been in the picture. From hunting outfits to [National] Forest Service strings, thru-riders, fire crews, pack support, and weekend recreationalists, there are more and more women packing in to protect and enjoy our country’s most phenomenal and untouched landscapes. Ensuring that those highly skilled women are aware of their community is just as important as making sure that interested beginners have the tools they need to be safe and successful in their outdoor endeavors. Mentors like Lisa Barnes, who are willing to share what they know to make both of those goals a reality for women in packing, are such a gift. I am so appreciative that Art of the Cowgirl keeps these traditional arts alive while simultaneously empowering the next generation of women to make them their own.”
Saddle Making Fellowship with Nancy Martiny.
This year, the Foundation is awarding six fellowships:
- Saddle Making with Nancy Martiny
- Fine Art with Mary Ross Buchholz
- Rawhide Braiding with Bill Ferreira
- Horsemanship with Lee Smith
- Silversmithing with Barbara Jacques
- Breakaway Roping with Lari Dee Guy.
If you’ve ever wanted to dive deeper into a Western art or trade, enhance your skills and even build your own business, an Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship is the perfect launching point. Our Masters are proven professionals in their respective fields and will equip you with the knowledge and guidance you need to follow your calling with confidence.
Fine Art Fellowship with Mary Buchholz.
“I truly believe that experience and that mentorship have only just begun,” 2025 Chap-Making Fellowship Recipient Erica Mannix observed. “I think those in-person experiences are the beginning of a relationship that I hope we can continue over time. It certainly increased my confidence in my craftsmanship skills and in the quality of the products that I am creating. Julie [Baugher] is a very patient teacher, but she will also push you to take your work to the next level, whether that is in construction, design or work efficiency. She is highly focused on quality and durability, and since I intend to focus on working gear, her feedback and assurance in my work have helped me build more confidence in myself. Not only did the experience increase my skills and confidence, but it has also already opened doors to other relationships in the leather industry. That bridge building and networking are invaluable.”
Applications opened January 15, and winners will be announced this spring. Fellowship recipients will receive exclusive, expenses-paid, two-week mentoring sessions at the Masters’ locations. Both the Masters and their students will share their experiences through presentations at the 2027 main event and donate items to the Fellowship fundraising auction, which supports the next class of Fellowship recipients.
For more information on the Fellowship Program or to apply, visit artofthecowgirl.com/fellowship-applications/.
Art of the Cowgirl Fellowship
Jamie Stoltzfus
Fellowship with Silversmith Barbara Jacques.
This year’s Art of the Cowgirl event takes place: February 24-28, 2026, at Rancho Rio – Wickenburg, Arizona. Learn more:
