The Academy of Western Artists would like to congratulate the following selections for the 2018 Gear and Trappings. The awards are very unique in that they are given for the body of an artists work and not a contest.
Names are submitted to a blind jury of their peers in each area. They are judged on 1-body of work 2-quality of work 3-standing within their peer community.
Artist: Shawn Cameron, Arizona
Cartoonist: Kristen Lloyd, Utah
Spurmaker: Bill Madole, Oklahoma
Engraver: Matt Litz, Texas
Bootmaker: Dave Wheeler, Texas
Braider: Bret Haskett, Idaho
Saddlemaker: Ken Tipton, Nevada
Master Leather Artisan: Tony Laier, Colorado
Hitcher: Donna Murray, Alberta, Canada
Don King Memorial Saddlemaker of the Year: Pete Gorrell, Hawaii
Garnet Brooks Chuckwagon of the Year: Keith Middleton, Texas