7 Unique Experiences in Sheridan County, the Cultural Heart of Wyoming

Craft culture thrives in Wyoming, embodying the state's western identity alongside ranching, rodeos, and breathtaking landscapes. There's no better place to immerse yourself in this creative energy than in Sheridan. Here, you can learn to craft spurs from a cowboy, observe expert leatherworking, and purchase a handmade prairie dress that would delight any frontierswoman. Despite its small-town charm, Sheridan is home to unexpected creative talents, including one of the nation's top tattoo artists, award-winning breweries, and several prestigious artist residencies.

Sheridan’s diverse array of artisans, from acclaimed metalsmiths to innovative designers and distillers, all share a commitment to celebrating the beauty of timeless, quality craftsmanship. Below are the best ways to delve into Sheridan’s craft traditions and support its local creators.

Explore the Legacy of Leather Crafting

An integral part of Wyoming's heritage, leather stamping, tooling, and carving gained prominence in Sheridan after it became the base for Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show. Inspired by the elaborate saddles they admired in performances, local cowboys and craftsmen began to create their own ornate designs, marking the birth of a cherished tradition.

You can visit King’s Saddlery today, where the founder Don King pioneered the renowned floral “Sheridan Style” of carving, a meticulous craft that established King’s Saddlery as a leader in its field since 1946. More than just a Western tack shop, this family-run establishment—now operated by Don's grandsons, Barry and Ryan—features the Don King Museum, which showcases an impressive collection of cowboy artifacts, including hundreds of saddles. Recently, the family has branched out into crafting stainless-steel stamps and tools for leatherwork.

At the nearby Brinton Museum, you can deepen your understanding of this unique Western craft through sessions with expert James F Jackson, who was honored as a National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2019. He frequently leads discussions on leatherwork design, carving techniques, and the regional history at the museum’s leather workshop.

Get Ready

A quality knife, whether for practical use or display, is truly a work of art. Crafted in-house by a husband-and-wife blacksmith duo, J. Rateliff’s heirloom knives feature high-carbon-steel blades and natural materials for their handles, including antler, bone, exotic woods, buffalo horn, and turquoise.

Still searching for a unique souvenir? Alongside high-end collector's knives, Kevin Willey of KAW Rawhide and Steel leverages over 20 years of expertise to create sophisticated rawhide braiding and sheaths.

Discover the art scene

In recent years, Sheridan County has cultivated a vibrant arts community, thanks in part to its three artist retreats: Tongue River Artists Residency, Jentel Foundation, and Ucross Foundation, which have hosted several Pulitzer Prize winners. Art enthusiasts can visit the latest exhibitions at these galleries or stop by David McDougall’s Painted Skull Studio to appreciate his captivating fly-fishing scenes and riverscapes inspired by his guiding experiences in the Bighorn Mountains.

Other notable local artists include Sonja Caywood, who creates striking expressionist paintings of Wyoming’s wildlife and landscapes; Joel Ostlind, recognized for his copperplate prints depicting Western life; and Carrie Ballantyne, a modern Western artist known for her sketches and paintings that capture ranching culture. To view their most recent works, visit the Brinton Museum or WYO Theater.

For those who enjoy a hands-on experience, enroll in a pottery class at Red Bison Studio, home to one of the largest stone furnaces in the United States. Don't forget to grab some of their exquisite handmade ceramics on your way out. If you still have more shopping on your agenda, head over to Arin Waddell, where this classically trained artist offers her creations alongside pillows, scarves, and other home decor adorned with her delightful original prints.

Shine on

Metalsmithing is the art of shaping a wide variety of items—from tools and tableware to jewelry—using different metals. In Sheridan, you'll discover a wealth of skilled smiths, including Tom Balding of Bits & Spurs, renowned for crafting intricate cowboy gear from scratch. But metalsmithing isn't limited to tack; at Archetype Collective, self-taught metalsmith and jeweler Stefanie Wilkerson creates unique nature-inspired cuffs, necklaces, rings, and earrings featuring stones like turquoise and agate.

Embrace frontier chic

Drawing inspiration from vintage tailored pieces and classic Western films, Jesse Smith has carved out a niche creating elegant yet modern apparel for Nashville’s country music icons. You can now find her timeless creations, including gingham shirts, lace crop tops, flowing skirts, herringbone vests, and chiffon dresses at Western Grace, her trendy boutique located in downtown Sheridan.

Enjoy a local drink

In recent years, Sheridan has experienced a craft beer and liquor revival with delightful offerings. Visit Koltiska Distillery for a true taste of Sheridan’s heritage: a chilled shot of their Original Liqueur. This earthy, herbal spirit is made from a fifth-generation family recipe and is perfect in cocktails as well.

Craft beer enthusiasts won’t want to miss Black Tooth Brewing Co., which has quickly become Wyoming’s largest and most awarded brewery since its inception in 2010. Known for its well-crafted classics, flagship selections include Wagon Box American Wheat and Bomber Mountain Amber Ale. For those who prefer their beer to-go, Luminous Brewhouse offers a wide variety, including Java Moon Coffee Ale (brewed with a local coffee blend) that can be poured into a growler for outdoor enjoyment.

Capture a lasting keepsake

While some artists create on canvas, others express their art on skin. Matthew Campbell at Black Moon Arts tattoo studio specializes in black-and-white photorealism, drawing clients from across the nation to experience his meticulous tattooing style, which replicates images—from sloths and wolves to Robert Duvall—onto the skin with astonishing accuracy.