About the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association
The Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) was formed out of a desire to preserve skills that were rapidly fading into history. A handful of elder craftsman in the fields of saddle making, bit and spur making, rawhide braiding, and silversmithing formed a nonprofit educational co-op to be funded by an annual show and sale. The mission of the TCAA is to preserve these traditional gear making skills and through educational programs, pass them on to succeeding generations.
The TCAA offers both group educational programs as well as one-on-one apprenticeships to developing craftsmen and women. Established craftsmen and women are encouraged to apply for Membership in the TCAA. Membership is decided by a vote of the TCAA members themselves. It's not uncommon for an individual to apply multiple times before they are accepted. The evaluation process is extensive with applicants receiving valuable critiques and instruction along the way. It is highly recommended that anyone interested in applying to the TCAA should attend the show in order to see the level of work being produced first hand.
The annual show and sale offers an unprecedented opportunity for both collectors and the general public. Many of the TCAA members have lengthy waiting lists of up to ten years or are no longer taking orders. With the advent of the TCAA sale, a few lucky collectors may purchase items that they would not be able to acquire any other way. For the public at large, the show following the sale is a once in a lifetime chance to see work on display that they would otherwise never have the opportunity to enjoy. A complete color catalog accompanies each show along with limited quantities from previous shows.
Since its inception, the TCAA has enjoyed a close partnership with the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The annual TCAA show takes place each September at the Museum. With each passing year the craftsman of the TCAA try to surpass the previous year's offerings. This is truly a challenge! Each year the shows gallery is filled with spectacular gear, much of it created using rare motifs and little known techniques from the old days of the west. Several of the pieces are collaborative works. It's also not uncommon to see international influences at work such as styles of metal work from Renaissance Europe or rawhide braiding techniques from Argentina or Australia. The over-all flavor of the work displayed however is that of the legendary Vaqueros of Spanish Colonial California.
The sale itself is an exciting event; the prices are pre-set with bids drawn by lottery. Eager collectors crowd the gallery each hoping the items they have placed bids on will soon be theirs. When the bidding is over, small boxes containing the bid coupons are opened and the lucky winner of each item is announced. Following the sale, the TCAA show is displayed for three more months in order to allow the public to enjoy these wonderful works of art. We at the TCAA would like to extend an invitation to everyone with a passion and appreciation for fine western gear to come to Oklahoma City and experience our show for your self. Feel free to Contact Us for more information.
2010 TCAA Leadership
Our officers serve on a rotating basis from within the ranks of the members. Over time, this gives all members an opportunity to serve. Every two years, in September, we elect a new Trustee and the current Vice President moves up to assume the role of President while the previous Trustee becomes the new Vice President. For 2009, our leadership is as follows:
| President | Scott Hardy |
| Vice President | Ernie Marsh |
| Trustee | Nate Wald |
| Past President | Bill Heisman |