 | Traditional Skill/Art Craft: Master Saddler and Leather Artisan Years Awarded: 2020 Contact Information: Phone: (541)620-1634 Email: ckehrberg@outlook.com
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ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Clair Kehrberg is a third-generation master saddler and leather artisan. She earned her associates degree in applied science and traditional Western saddle making from Spokane Falls Community College. She has studied under the tutelage of Tom Berry, Verlene DesGrange, Randy Severe, and the world-renowned Dale Harwood.
Clair owns her own saddle shop in John Day, Oregon, where she continues to create leather works. She shares her love of leather working through various school programs, where she gives presentations on the history and skills of leather work. Clair is currently working to open a leather department at the Painted Sky’s Center for the Arts where she will teach traditional Western floral tooling.
APPRENTICE BIOGRAPHY - Julianna Smucker 2020
Julianna Smucker was born and raised in a small ranching community in Eastern Oregon where Western history and traditional ranching culture have shaped her artwork. Her passions include riding, raising, and training horses. After graduating high school, she started to pursue her passion for leatherwork with online classes and began formal training with Clair Kehrberg. Smucker hopes to continue to develop her skills in leatherworking and to preserve the art of leatherwork in her community by someday teaching classes.
Q+A WITH THE MENTOR ARTIST
Describe your traditional art.
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Traditional western leatherworking involves skills such as pattern drawing, leather round-knife use, traditional western tack, and gear making, and leather tooling. Saddlery and western gear were an important part of western ranching life. Prior to the invention of the automobile, everyone used horses; the gear that went with them was essential.
Saddlery and horse tack, or cowboy/buckaroo gear, have remained essential in the ranching industry. This applies to cattle ranches, cowboys and buckaroos, horse trainers and clinicians, rodeo, and more. Every cattle rancher or buckaroo needs a saddle and a full set of tack to go with it including headstall and reins, breast collar, and saddlebags.
How did you come to learn this tradition?
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I grew up admiring the beautiful leather saddles and other gear that my grandparents and parents had acquired over the years. I am a third-generation leather artisan. I began my journey as a leather artisan at the age of 17 under the tutelage of Tom Berry.
I attended Spokane Falls Community College where I studied saddle making with Verlene DesGrange. I also apprenticed with Randy Severe at Severe Bros. Saddlery in Pendleton, Oregon where I learned his family’s particular skill set. I then came home to John Day and opened my own saddle shop and have been doing leatherwork ever since.
Through the years, I still make it a point to study with other traditional leather workers and learn their techniques as I feel you should always keep learning. In 2007, I received a grant to study with the world-renowned saddle maker, Dale Harwood.
Why is this cultural tradition important to your community?
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The ranching community is alive and well in Grant County. Ranches are in their third and fourth generations and there is a lot of pride in that. Saddles, horse tack, and gear are cherished as family treasures passed from one generation to the next. These items are used frequently, if not daily, and carry certain folklore about them. The old-timers will sit and look at the saddle they are not able to ride anymore and tell stories of different experiences they had while using the saddle. That is what makes this tradition important.: its ability to connect the generations in a beautiful timeless leather piece.
Experience/Honors
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2007 Best in Class at the World Leather Debut in Sheridan Wyoming.
2013 Finalist in the International Independent Handbag Design Awards in New York City.
Grand Champion ribbons and awards at the Grant County Fair.
First and Second Place ribbons at the Red Bull Art Show and Sale.
Museum exhibits in Elko Nevada and Llano Texas.
Special Recognition and Articles in WESTERN HORSEMAN, WESTERN ART &
ARCHITECTURE, AMERICAN COWBOY, RANCH & REATA, and COWBOYS &
INDIANS magazines.
Cover features on LEATHER CRAFTS & SADDLERS JOURNAL. As well as
contributing writer in their “How To” articles.
Visit OFN's Culture Keepers Roster to learn more about the artist.
Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program
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