Cary Schwarz

Cary Schwarz is a master saddlemaker and leather artist whose work reflects nearly five decades of dedication to the traditional ranching arts of the American West. Based in Salmon, Idaho, he creates custom saddles valued not only for their beauty, but also for their strength, balance, and lasting performance. For Schwarz, a saddle must serve its purpose in the field while reflecting the skill and judgment of its maker.

Schwarz’s interest in leatherwork began in childhood, when his parents gave him a Tandy Leathercraft kit. What started as a hobby grew into a vocation shaped by years of steady practice and mentorship, including guidance from 2008 National Heritage Fellow Dale Harwood. Over time, Schwarz developed a disciplined approach to design, creating every saddle as an original work rather than relying on stock patterns.

His style is recognizable for bold yet refined floral carving, balanced proportions, clean and confident lines, and careful attention to fitting both horse and rider. He avoids overcrowding the surface, allowing each element to be appreciated on its own. The symmetry of his layouts, the depth of his tooling, and the smooth flow of one form into another give his saddles a quiet clarity.

As his reputation grew, Schwarz helped found the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association (TCAA), bringing national attention to saddlemaking and related trades such as rawhide braiding, silversmithing, and bit and spur making. He was instrumental in launching the Saddlemaker Summit in Idaho, creating a space for makers to exchange skills and ideas. Through workshops, apprenticeships, and instructional videos, he continues to guide emerging craftsmen, urging them to pursue both technical excellence and personal voice. He also cohosts Monday Mornings with Cary and Willie, a weekly podcast featuring Schwarz and bit and spur maker Wilson Capron.

Schwarz has taught at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and exhibited his work at the Western Folklife Center’s Wiegand Gallery. He has received the Idaho Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Traditional Arts and been named Saddlemaker of the Year by the American Academy of Western Artists.

Work Sample

Where this page came from

This page was imported from National Endowment for the Arts. The National Endowment for the Arts' biography of its honoree; as a work of the United States government, in the public domain. Portraits lent by others are not copied.

Nobody has written it yet — it is the source material at a new address, which is why search engines are asked to skip it and why no one earns from it. It is up for grabs: take it on, and it is yours to rewrite and to earn from.