Cowboy Trades Association

The Cowboy Trades Association (CTA) is a coalition of master artisans, cultural advocates, and heritage organizations working to preserve the living traditions of the American West—while building new opportunities for the future.

Our Roots

• Founded in 2023 under the fiscal sponsorship of Vista 360° (Jackson, WY)
• Born from a partnership with the Jackson Hole History Museum
• Created by artisans featured in the inaugural Saddle Up! exhibit

What We Do

• Exhibitions – Touring Saddle Up! Western Handmade Art & Gear to museums and cultural centers, featuring 60+ artisans across Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Colorado
• Education – Hosting hands-on workshops with masters like:
  • Keith Seidel – Saddlemaking (Cody, WY)
  • Christy Sing Robertson – Hatmaking (Jackson, WY)
  • Amy Erickson – Silversmithing (Evanston, WY)
• Preservation & Innovation – Documenting artisan techniques through video and oral histories, and creating new pathways for apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, and rural job growth
• Equity in Opportunity – Supporting apprentices from all walks of life—ranch kids, veterans, recent graduates, and career changers—so that the trades are open to anyone with the passion to learn