 | Traditional Skill/Art Craft: Silversmithing Years Awarded: 2015 Contact Information: Phone: (541)231-2155 Email: kailin-k@hotmail.com |
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Pat Horlacher is a traditional Western Silversmith, using raw materials to make a variety of beautiful silver objects. Originally hailing from Eastern Washington, grew up wanting to be a cowboy, influenced by his father’s love of the cowboy life. Pat moved to Oregon in 2002, after graduating from the Farrier program at Walla Wall Community College, and began to live the cowboy lifestyle he always wanted. It was as a farrier that Pat met John Hyde of Yamsi Silver and Leather, from whom he learned the art of silversmithing and engraving. Since learning the art in 2008, Pat has had great success in the field of silversmithing, such as the Western Folklife Center purchasing a silver headstall he made for their permanent collection or having been chosen to participate in the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association’s Emerging Artist Competition. In his own words, “The landscape is a huge inspiration for my engraving. And I, like most buckaroos, I want to have high-quality gear that reflects the country we live in.”
APPRENTICE BIOGRAPHY - Tyler McNab 2015
Tyler McNab is from Burns, Oregon, where he grew up on ranches due to his dad being a ranch manager. Growing up, he was surrounded by ranch life and was able to witness the pride cowboys and buckaroos have for their horses through their gear. Before this apprenticeship, McNab worked with Silversmith Dally Zander and saddle maker, silversmith, and leatherworker Pedro Pedrini. He met Pat Horlacher at a ranch rodeo in Winnemucca, NV where they connected about designs and layouts. McNab strives to look outside the box and use his imagination and creativity to create pieces that are unique and functional, valuing quality over quantity. It is his goal to continue to improve while offering his guidance and the teachings he was given to others, so that the western engraving tradition be passed on to make quality materials and craftmanship.
Q+A WITH THE MENTOR ARTIST
Describe your traditional art.
Body
I am a traditional western silversmith. I take raw materials; I form, solder and take the piece through each stage to the finished engraved product. This tradition began with just basic practicality. Cowboys needed bits, spurs and a buckle to hold up their pants! They started out very utilitarian in nature and like the progression of most necessities folks wanted bigger and better. Growing up my dad was very into the cowboy life. To supplement his income he bought and sold everything from collectable cowboy gear to the everyday working stuff and from his love of gear stemmed my interest in silver.
How did you come to learn this tradition?
Body
I got my start from John Hyde of Yamsi Silver and Leather in Chiloquin, OR. I was down shoeing horses for them and he asked if I’d like to try my hand at engraving and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Why is this cultural tradition important to your community?
Body
It’s important to me because it reflects the nature of what I’m surrounded by. The landscape is a huge inspiration for my engraving. And like most buckaroos, I want to have high quality gear that reflects the country we live in.
Experience/Honors
Body
January 2011-Received a Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA) scholarship
January 2014-Made a silver headstall for Expressing the Rural West-Into the Future. Hosted by the Western Folklife Center in Elko, Nevada. The Western Folklife Center purchased the piece for their permanent collection.
February 2015-Selected by a panel of judges to participate in the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association Emerging Artist Competition
Visit OFN's Culture Keepers Roster to learn more about the artist.
Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program
More OFN programs
OFN main page