“I've traveled all over the world and met many amazing people, but this cowboy community certainly holds its own,” writes renowned painter William Matthews as he recounts how attending the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in 1986 changed the course of his career.

“[The Gathering] continues to teach me that there are many ways you can be a member of the western community, and contribute to its future,” writes musician Lilly Platts as she reflects on how songs, poems, and art help foster western culture, appreciation, and community.

We’re heading back to Las Vegas this December for the National Finals Rodeo, and you’re invited to join us at the Ahern Hotel, Dec. 10–13, for National Cowboy Poetry Gathering on the Road!

Morgan Buckert turned a childhood admiration of handmade cowboy boots into a career as a custom cowboy bootmaker. Morgan consciously weaves traditional bootmaking with her deep knowledge of the people and places of the West. In this Q&A, we talk with Morgan about her experience making boots and connecting with other makers at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

“You can express, you can carve whatever you want,” says acclaimed saddlemaker Pedro Pedrini in his Q&A with the Western Folklife Center. Pedro came to Elko from France in the 1970s to study saddlemaking. Now, five decades later, Pedro has his own saddle shop in Spring Creek, Nevada, and works with his son Tony. Pedro and Tony will be co-teaching a leather carving workshop at the 41st Gathering.

“Sharing poems and songs about those aspects of our agrarian lives that were personal and deeply felt did a lot to humanize us,” writes Gail Steiger as he reflects on what cowboy poetry means and the connections it opens up.

“The Western Folklife Center will be forever in Daniel’s debt… that’s why we’re thrilled to tell you he won’t be straying too far.”

Executive Director Kristin Windbigler’s writes this guest column to provide critical context to the Elko Daily Free Press’ article about our financial challenges, and what’s next for the Western Folklife Center.

This month, Elko local and Basque elder Bob Echeverria tells us about the practice of makila carving.