Art of the Cowgirl: Honoring Women of the West

The West has always brimmed with independent, resilient Western women, but many have gone unnoticed. Some reside on remote ranches, miles from the blacktop, where their responsibilities include caring for horses, cattle and children, stretching a paycheck as far as they can. Or they remain in the background saddling, grooming and warming up horses or standing along the edges of arenas while their husbands compete. Many of their talents have gone untapped and their stories unspoken. But that has changed since Art of the Cowgirl emerged seven years ago, inviting everyone to experience various elements of Western culture and celebrate women’s roles in preserving traditions. 

Founded by Montana horsewoman, mother, ranch wife and bootmaker Tammy Pate, Art of the Cowgirl was inspired by her grandmother, Betty Kunesh, who was equally adept on a horse, in the kitchen, or at an easel. Every year, a ranch woman is honored at the main event with an award given in memory of “Grandma Betty.”

Since the first event was held in 2019, it has become more than a festival and competition. It’s become a community driven by plucky cowgirl spirit and the wholesome Western values Pate embodied, which empower women to pursue their passions—whether they’re in an art studio, leather or silver shop, or the saddle. It also gives them a venue to share their stories and perspectives with the public.  

The five-day main event, held each winter at Horseshoe Park & Equestrian Centre in Queen Creek, Ariz., includes educational workshops and demonstrations; a curated marketplace of handmade gear, art and cowgirl couture; an invitational horse sale with women-trained mounts; and high-profile competition, directed by Pate’s daughter, Mesa, such as the all-women’s ranch rodeo and the World’s Greatest Horsewoman. Though the excitement of the competition draws large crowds, the camaraderie and educational environment keep it deeply rooted. 

“At the heart of Art of the Cowgirl is the community sharing of artistic skills and knowledge,” says photographer Phyllis Burchett of Cowgirls with Cameras. She and Kimberly Beer have hosted photography workshops during the gathering every year it has been held except one. “We believe all the workshops are the perfect opportunity for any Western artist, ranch or equine enthusiast to gain new skills, get fresh ideas, network and become energized as a creative. We’ve often witnessed instructors being completely open in sharing their expertise. This open learning environment is one of the reasons we wanted to be involved in Art of the Cowgirl events.”

Pate passed in December 2023 at age 57 after a brave battle with cancer, leaving behind her husband, Curt, their two children, Rial and Mesa, two young grandchildren, and other family members and friends who supported her big dreams. She spent more than a decade bringing together like-minded individuals, forming a team to produce Art of the Cowgirl. At the heart of her vision is the Art of the Cowgirl Foundation, which funds a fellowship program pairing emerging female artists, makers, trainers and ranchers with masters in their fields for one-on-one instruction. The fellowship removes geographic, financial, and other barriers to entry. It offers women access to the shops of top professionals where they can develop their skills and get advice on starting or bolstering their businesses. 

“The spirit of Art of the Cowgirl is Tammy to the core. It’s what she was passionate about, it’s the lifestyle she lived, and it’s a combination of everything she loved,” says Jaimie Stoltzfus, chief operating officer and executive director of the Art of the Cowgirl Foundation. “The Art of the Cowgirl Foundation and fellowship program was at the heart of why she started Art of the Cowgirl. The recipients in the program have had life-changing opportunities. The connections and relationships made, the education gained, and the skills learned will continue to ripple for a long time.”

Though the Art of the Cowgirl community feels a void without Pate, her family, friends and followers continue to uphold her dream for others to experience.

As Colorado saddle maker John Willemsma, 2023 Art of the Cowgirl Master Saddle Maker, says, “Art of the Cowgirl is another avenue to tell the story of the West.”  

◆ Art of the Cowgirl Website

This article appeared in the April 2024 issue of Western Life Today magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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