Academy of Western Artists "Saddlemaker of the Year" For 2010 Awarded to John Willemsma

Aug. 19, 2010 - PRLog -- Oklahoma City, OK --John Willemsma has been building high quality, custom western saddles for more than 30 years. In 1986 John opened LJ’s Saddlery in Guthrie, Oklahoma to design and build saddles that meet  the needs of both working cowboys and non-professional horsemen and women.

John has had the great fortune of being able to study under some of today’s greatest saddle craftsmen, including Don King, Dale Harwood and Chuck Stormes. Combining the knowledge he gained from these masters with his study of early saddleries, particularly Visalia, Hamley and Ray Holes, has enabled John to bring very high standards to each and every saddle he builds.

The Academy of Western Artists (AWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting contemporary western artisans. 2010 marks the 15th year the AWA has awarded the "Saddlemaker of the Year." The winner of the award is chosen by vote of top working saddlemakers. The pass recipients of this coveted award is a list of the finest custom western saddlemakers in the world.

2009   Cary Schwarz      Salmon, Idaho
2008   Pedro Perini      Marysfield, California
2007   George Holt      Dillon, Montana
2006    Steve mecum      Crowheart, Wyoming
2005   Chas Weldon      Billings, Montana
2004   Gaylord Thissel   Cottonwood , California
2003   Eddie Brooks      Spring Creek, Nevada
2002   Bill Maloy      Washoe Valley, Nevada
2001   Dale Harwood      Meridian, Idaho
2000   Pete Gorrell      Darby, Montana
1999   Don Butler      Sheridan, Wyoming
1998   Chuck Stormes   Alberta, Canada
1997   Don King      Sheridan, Wyoming
1996   Bob Marrs      Amarillo, Texas

It was also announced that saddlemaker Forrest Shupe of Sonora, California was granted the Don King Saddlemaker Award, named for the legendary saddlemaker, historian, teacher, artist, and craftsman, Don King of Sheridan, Wyoming. This prestigious award is presented to a living saddlemaker as a recognition of a lifetime of outstanding work and contributions to the craft. Sadly, Mr. Shoupe passed away shortly after being chosen for this award. Forest Shoup began his saddlemaking career in 1954 and will be remembered as a master saddlemaker, teacher, and invoator. His fine saddles will be around for a long time as both using saddles and as valuable collectibles.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY OF WESTERN ARTISTS
The Academy of Western Artists (AWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving cowboy and western heritage by recognizing and promoting contemporary western artisans and their craft. The annual AWA awards recognize excellence in:  Cowboy & Western Music, Cowboy Poetry, Western Music Radio, DJ's, Chuckwagon Cooks, Gea rmakers, Leather working, Saddlemaking, Spur Makers and other Western arts and artists.

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