TCAA Seminar: The Next 25 Years: Traditional Techniques in New Ways

On Saturday, the TCAA will host the seminar The Next 25 Years: Traditional Techniques in New Ways with artists Beau Compton, Troy Flaharty, Cary Schwarz, Troy West and Jay Adcock

Seminars and refreshments are open to public with Museum admission. Seminar luncheons are open to TCAA weekend package holders.

Saturday, September 28

10:00 a.m.          Breakfast Refreshments and Seminar Opening Remarks
10:15 a.m.          Practicality and Functionality: Wilson Capron and Todd Crawford, Boardroom
11:30 a.m.          Seminar Luncheon (Open to Weekend Package holders)
1:00 p.m.            The Next 25 Years: Traditional Techniques in New Ways: Beau Compton, Troy Flaharty, Cary Schwarz, Troy West and Jay Adcock moderated by Michael Grauer, Boardroom

About the Speakers

Beau Compton, Tombstone, Arizona

Beau Compton was born and raised in a rodeo and ranching family. Though he was initially interested in bit and spur making, he started silverwork in 1997 after his father-in-law introduced him to Vic Vasquez, a saddlemaker, silversmith and bit and spur maker. In 2006 Compton started to pursue silverwork as a full-time business, and in 2015 he was awarded a TCAA fellowship, which — along with the TCAA Emerging Artists Competition — he credits for propelling his work to the level of TCAA membership. Compton currently resides with his wife and two children on his in-laws’ family-owned cow/calf operation. “It is a blessing to raise my children, who are the sixth generation on the ranch, in this environment,” Compton said, “and to perpetuate Western lifestyle and values.”

Troy Flaharty, Hico, Texas

Troy Flaharty was raised in a family of Western performance horse trainers. In high school, he roped calves and competed in rodeo, leading to a rodeo scholarship to Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas. While attending college, he was introduced to bit and spur making at a two-day, fundamental bit-making workshop. After college, he rodeoed, cowboyed, ranched and trained horses in Kansas and Oklahoma, all the while making usable bits and spurs for cowboys, ropers, barrel racers and horsemen. 

In 2010, Flaharty was exposed to the artistic aspects of bit and spur making while attending a TCAA workshop at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. He entered the TCAA Emerging Artist Competition in 2015, and the following year received a TCAA fellowship. Flaharty became a TCAA member in 2023. He resides in Hico, Texas, with his daughter, Rio Belle. 

Cary Schwarz, Salmon, Idaho

January 2025 will mark 27 years since Cary Schwarz had the first conversation with Mike Beaver about a concept that would become the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association. As the TCAA celebrates its 25th anniversary exhibition, Schwarz remarked that there has been a lot of water under the bridge with so many great things that have happened within the world of cowboy craftsmanship and artistry. All this despite a steady headwind from inside and outside the cowboy world. The work that he offers for this show is the best work he has assembled to date, and he looks forward to more years ahead for personal and creative growth.

Troy West, Azle, Texas

Troy West wanted to become a professional rodeo cowboy, but in 1977, when his brother decided to attend school to learn saddle-building, West went too. Along with making beautiful saddles, his lifelong goal includes creating a saddletree that is comfortable to the horse and the rider. He has won Best of Show at the Boot and Saddlemaker Roundup five times and, in 2014, received the Will Rogers Award for Saddlemaker of the Year. West said becoming a TCAA member is one of the major highlights of his career — he considers it an honor and a privilege to work with some of the best craftsmen in the world.