Made in the West: American Functional Art Worth Preserving
- Andy McIlvain
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Video from Wyoming PBS
Made in the West: American Functional Art Worth Preserving
"In a world of fast fashion and fast furniture, Western functional art asks us to slow down and appreciate handcrafted objects you can sit on, drink from, or wear on your feet. This original co-production from Nashville PBS and Wyoming PBS explores how Indigenous artistry, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West shows, and early dude ranch culture shaped the Western aesthetic that still inspires artisans today.
From the trailblazing furniture designer Thomas Molesworth in Cody, Wyoming, to contemporary makers working in wood, metal, leather, clay, and beads, master craftspeople share how they create entire environments rooted in the colors, textures, and landscapes of the American West. They reveal how dude ranch patrons, railroad tourism, and major collectors helped fuel a cottage industry in Western furniture and design that continues to evolve.
The film also follows By Western Hands, a Cody-based nonprofit working with the University of Wyoming to pass on specialized skills through workshops, mentorship, and hands-on classes so this knowledge is not lost to time. Artisans speak candidly about long hours, startup costs, rejection, and the decades of practice behind each piece, alongside the joy of finding a calling and putting a piece of themselves into their work.
Whether you are interested in Western design, American craft history, Indigenous influence on Western style, or the future of hands-on education, this documentary offers an in-depth look at a uniquely Western art form—and the people committed to keeping it alive." from the video introduction
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