Reviving Western Heritage: How Rocky Mountain Folk School is Preserving Cowboy Artisan Traditions in Grand Lake

The Rocky Mountain Folk School (RMFS), with the support of the Grand Lake Creative District, has proudly received the Traditional Folk Arts Project Grant from Colorado Creative Industries three times—each grant marking a step forward in the school’s mission to preserve and promote the cultural traditions of the American West. Through hands-on education, documentary support, and expanded access to tools and training, RMFS is not only honoring the past but also building a sustainable future for cowboy artisans in Colorado.

The first grant brought Jim Brainard (J.B. Leatherwork), a master leather tradesman, to Grand Lake to teach a workshop on traditional cowboy bootmaking. The experience gave participants a rare opportunity to get their hands on the craft—cutting, shaping, and stitching leather under expert guidance. More than just a class, it was an invitation to explore a nearly lost art, one steeped in generations of functional beauty and rugged design. For many attendees, it was their first exposure to the craftsmanship and dedication involved in creating custom cowboy boots—an introduction that sparked both awe and inspiration.

The second grant was awarded to support the Cowboy Trades Association (CTA) in the creation of their upcoming documentary film—a major project that highlights the artisans and practices behind traditional cowboy trades across the Northern Rockies. While the film is still in production, it will premiere as part of Saddle Up! Western Handmade Art and Gear, an exhibition taking place in Jackson, Wyoming from July 31, 2025, through January 3, 2026. RMFS is working closely with CTA to bring this powerful documentary to Grand Lake in 2026, giving our community the chance to experience the stories, techniques, and cultural significance of cowboy trades on screen.

The most recent grant has laid the groundwork for the future. RMFS has started acquiring professional leatherworking tools that will allow the school to offer regular leather classes for all skill levels. By investing in this equipment, RMFS can now provide more frequent, hands-on opportunities for the public to learn and explore leatherwork—while keeping class prices low and accessible. This effort ensures that people from all backgrounds have a chance to discover whether this creative trade could become their hobby, passion, or even livelihood.

Together, these projects reflect a powerful vision: a vibrant, evolving creative community in Grand Lake that honors its Western heritage while building a path for future generations of makers. Through its partnership with the Cowboy Trades Association and continued grant support, the Rocky Mountain Folk School is positioning Grand Lake as a regional center for the education, celebration, and preservation of cowboy artisan traditions.

Upcoming Leather Workshops:

« All Events

Custom Sandal-Making Workshop

October 10 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

$265

In this full-day, hands-on workshop, students will design and build a custom pair of sandals from start to finish. Participants may choose between the Leather 7-Hole sandal or the Polyester Hiker style, as featured on the Paisley Running Sandals website. Instruction covers proper foot measurement and fit, cutting and shaping leather or polyester materials, constructing a supportive footbed, and assembling a durable, comfortable sandal. Emphasis is placed on craftsmanship, material selection, and creating well-fitting, wearable footwear. All tools and materials are provided, and no prior experience is required. The workshop runs for one full day (8 hours).

What’s included

All materials to build one custom pair of sandals (leather or polyester, depending on selected style)
Use of all tools and equipment during the workshop
Foot measuring, fitting, and pattern guidance
Supportive footbed materials and assembly components
Take-home finished pair of custom sandals
One full day (8 hours) of hands-on instruction

What’s not included

lunch
Non-alcoholic beverages
snacks

Highlights

Learn from master craftsman and educator Matt Paisley, a fourth-generation woodworker and experienced cobbler with over 15 years of sandal-making practice. Matt brings a hands-on, confidence-building teaching style shaped by his work at ThunderRidge High School.

This workshop blends traditional craftsmanship with modern, trail-tested design. Matt’s sandals have been worn and refined on the trails of Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park, with an emphasis on comfort, durability, and fit.

Offered exclusively in June and July, this limited seasonal workshop is only available during Matt’s summer break, making it a rare opportunity to learn custom sandal-making at the Rocky Mountain Folk School.