FEATURING: James Gullion, Eric Hannig, Seth Teichert.

It's an open mic...for the makers! At this open format, open stage event, makers from around the West were invited to talk about their gearmaking practice or a special piece of work. Listen in as these three future-forward makers discuss their craft and the future of the rural West. Sounds to us like the future is in good hands.

Hosted by Ian Hallagan.

From the "Big Skies, New Visions" event during the 2022 Wild Ride.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

James Gullion
Jeffrey City, WY
James Gullion has spent many years cowboying around Wyoming and Montana. He has always been fascinated with bits and how people use them. He studies the spade bit tradition and uses them on his horses. Allen Taylor helped him get started making bits, sharing patterns and engraving tips, and James also learned from Ernie Marsh in a mentorship program through the Wyoming Arts Council. In 2015, James took the big step to become a full time silversmith and a part time cowboy.

Eric Hannig
Wheatland, WY
Eric Hannig first got involved in leather work at just nine years old, after walking into a Tandy Leather shop with his aunt in Cheyenne, Wyoming. From this early start in the craft, he continues the tradition of fine leather carving and craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from the Visalia carving of greats like Bill Maloy, Eric blends a multitude of leather carving styles to create something truly unique. Now based in Wheatland, Eric builds everything from saddles and gun holsters to travel bags and iPhone cases.

Seth Teichert
Mackay, ID
Seth Teichert is a 5th generation cattle rancher, growing up on ranches in Utah, Wyoming, California, and Nevada. For the past 17 years he has managed a ranch in Mackay, Idaho. Seth first began making cowboy boots in 2005, apprenticing at Dubois Leather and learning about lace up cowboy boots. From this initial apprenticeship, Seth would continue to receive an education through a shop in Salmon, where he received some tips here and there building pull on boots. However, he really honed the art by watching videos made by the legendary bootmaker C.T. Chappell from Saint Jo, Texas. Indicative of his long ranching background, Seth has built countless boots for working cowboys across the West. It’s what he likes to do most, knowing the boots he has made will be worn and used, and hold up to the abuse that any rancher can put them through.

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Filmed in front of a live audience at the Western Folklife Center's G Three Bar Theater in Elko, NV, on Apr. 2, 2022.

Made possible by the NV Energy Foundation, Nevada Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Nevada Humanities, National Endowment for the Humanities, and by the multitude of staff, artists, volunteers, and community members working behind the scenes to make this show happen.

Brought to you by the Western Folklife Center, using story and cultural expression to connect the American West to the world.
www.westernfolklife.org

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