‘Made in the West’ Celebrates Western Craftsmanship at UW Screening

The artistry and traditions of the American West take center stage when “Made in the West,” a co-production of Wyoming PBS and Nashville PBS, screens Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the University of Wyoming.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Visual Arts Auditorium, Room 111 of UW’s Visual Arts Building, and will include a discussion following the screening. It is free and open to the public.

The documentary, narrated by country music singer Tanya Tucker, explores Western functional art and the craftspeople whose work brings together creativity, skill and tradition. The program offers a look at the people and processes behind works that reflect the character and heritage of the West.

The film also highlights the collaboration between By Western Hands, a nonprofit organization in Cody dedicated to preserving and celebrating Western functional art, and the UW College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Visual Arts, which connects students with working artists while helping pass specialized skills and traditions to a new generation. Through the partnership, UW students have opportunities to learn traditional craftsmanship techniques directly from professional artisans through hands-on workshops, mentorship and apprenticeship experiences, both on campus and in Cody.

“‘Made in the West’ celebrates the talented artists and craftspeople who carry Western traditions forward through their functional art,” says Wyoming PBS CEO Joanna Kail. “We’re excited to share their stories with the University of Wyoming and the Laramie community and to invite audiences to join us for a conversation after the screening.”

Following the film, Kail will moderate a discussion with Scott Turpen, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Doug Russell, Department of Visual Arts chair and a professor of drawing; Ashley Hope Carlisle, professor of sculpture; and artisan Scott Wilson.

Megan Brown, a 2024 UW graduate from Laramie, and Matteo Ricciardi, a 2025 UW graduate from Cheyenne who’s now a paid apprentice for the Modern Atelier: Master Craftsman Program, are featured in the film and are part of the discussion. The discussion will offer an opportunity to hear from the faculty, students and artisans involved in carrying Western craftsmanship forward.

Funding for “Made in the West” was provided by Carlene Lebous; Thomas and Elizabeth Grainger through the Thomas and Elizabeth Grainger Family Charitable Fund; Naoma Tate; AllianceBernstein; Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund; Carolyn and Scott Heppel; Rocky Mountain Power Foundation; and First Horizon Foundation.

Wyoming PBS is a nonprofit public broadcasting organization serving the state of Wyoming. With a commitment to educating, informing and inspiring, Wyoming PBS produces and broadcasts high-quality programming that addresses the unique needs and interests of the Wyoming community.

 

For more information about this event, email Russell at drussell@uwyo.edu.