STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTOS COURTESY OF IDAHO COMMISSION ON THE ARTS

Anna Severe started creating doing leatherwork she was 13 and now makes leather chinks and saddles. Clair Kehrberg is an eastern Oregon rancher who apprenticed with renowned saddle maker Randy Severe and now creates her own leather barrel bags and other leatherwork.

Amy Raymond creates sterling silver necklaces, while Texie Rowell Buttars--a horsewoman raised in the National Reined Cow Horse tradition--creates bridle bits. And Kari McCluey crafts one-of-a-kind custom chaps and saddles that combine traditional craftsmanship with artistic expression—think: pink chaps decorated with three-dimensional leather flowers.

Saddle by Kari McCluey

These women and more are among 20-plus master leatherworkers who will be taking part in the Idaho Cowgirl Congress June 17-21 at the Sun Valley Museum of Arts in Ketchum.

The pop-up exhibition is being held by the Museum in partnership with the Idaho Commission on the Arts. It includes an opening night exhibition from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, in which people will be able to visit with artists and see their work.

And it includes a panel discussion at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at The Community Library in Ketchum that will feature a handful of the craftswomen.

“The Idaho Cowgirl Congress is a program that happens every four years as part of the Idaho Commission on the Arts. The last one was at the art museum in Idaho Falls,” said Morgan Buckert, a Texas ranch girl who creates artistic but functional cowboy boots out of her studio in Hailey. “This our third official gathering. And, when we started working on this a couple years ago, we approached the Sun Valley Museum of Art to partner with us, knowing it was going to be America 250.”

Leather Chinks by Anna Severe

Morgan Buckert showed a sell-out class how to make hand-stitched leather wallets on Thursday. Her fellow craftswomen will be exhibiting everything from cowboy hats to boots.

“Western gear from head to toe!” said Buckert. “Chaps, reins, handbags, fine art paintings and photographs. It’s important to acknowledge that all this traditional gear requires form and function first. These are items meant to be used whether on the horse’s body or your own body.

“Decorative elements come second,” she added. “There’s a deep understanding of craftsmanship in these pieces.”

There’ll be no demonstrations at this particular gathering—that’ll come at the Blackfoot Ranch Rodeo and Indian Relays, a Smithsonian Folklife event from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 27, that will offer demos for two days as part of the American250 celebration.

Leather Barrel Bag by Clair Kehrberg with engraved silver by Alia Driscoll

But, while here, artists will take part in two days of private workshops at SVMoA’s Hailey studio where they will learn about value-added products, turning artwork into saleable items and online teaching. They’ll also hear from storytellers and other special guests, including a freelance journalist from Texas.

The exhibitii will be available through Sunday, June 21, at The Museum, 191 5th St. E. in Ketchum. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free.

FOR THE PUBLIC:

WEDNESDAY, June 17, 5 -7 p.m.—Free Idaho Cowgirl Congress Opening and Celebration

Sterling Silver Necklace by Amy Raymond

Julie Rowe will present a live music performance. And attendees may avail themselves of limited-edition exhibition posters and McCluey’s limited-edition silk scarf.

The exhibit will run through Saturday, June 20, at The Museum, 191 5th St. E. in Ketchum. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free.

THURSDAY, June 18—5:30 p.m. Idaho Cowgirl Congress Maker’s Panel

The panel at The Community Library in Ketchum will feature Idaho women folk and traditional artists from around the state, celebrating the makers whose hands, heritage, and artistry help shape the culture of the American West.

The panel will feature:

Laura Curry, Executive Director, Idaho Commission on the Arts, Moderator

Nancy Martiny, Saddle Maker and Leather Worker, May

Kari McCluey, Saddle Maker and Leather Worker, Boise

Anna Severe, Saddle Maker and Leather Worker, Castleford

Susan Madasci, Blacksmith, Fabricator, and Glass Artist, Garden City

Reserve a seat at https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/15560736. Watch online at https://vimeo.com/event/5970399. The presentation also will be recorded and available to watch later.