Nominate an Outstanding Western Artist for an Award
Know someone whose 2025 work deserves recognition? Nominate them for one or more of the 71 awards offered by the Academy of Western Artists. Our revised award process allows anyone to nominate. The Academy will reach out to all nominees to request submissions of information for consideration (voting and judging). Completed submissions and Academy professional membership are required in order for a nomination to move forward to the voting stage.
Self-nomination is allowed, and anyone who submitted information for 2025 work under our former process will be considered to have self-nominated.
Jim Linnell, leathercraft educator and artist
Jim Linnell is an American leathercraft educator and artist. Over decades, Linnell has helped shape how leathercraft is taught in the United States, particularly through instructional patterns, in-store classes, and print publications from Tandy Leather, and later through large-scale digital education via the Elktracks Studio website. According to LearnLeathercraft.com, "His work is widely associated with clarity, practicality, and an emphasis on teaching fundamentals in ways that are approachable without being simplistic."
He has received some of the most prestigious awards in the leatherworking industry, including the Al Stohlman Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Master Leather Artisan Award from the Academy of Western Artists.
He continues to teach many classes and workshops -- including classes in Alaska, Ohio, and Texas this month alone. He has a special showing coming up at WaterWorks Art Museum in Miles City, Montana Oct. 2 to Nov. 12, together with two other artists.
JaNeil Anderson, oil painter
JaNeil Anderson paints the lives of working cowboys, working cowgirls, their children, and their animals. First-hand experience with gathering and branding on cattle ranches in the Southwest is shown in her work.
She is a Signature Member of American Women Artists, poster artist for Las Fiesta De Los Vaqueros Pro Rodeo in Tucson (2014), and poster artist for the Arizona Cowboy Poets Gathering (2021). In 2022, JaNeil received the New Mexico Department of Agriculture Rounders Award, given each year to select New Mexicans who live, promote, and articulate the western way of life.
Western Event Calendar
Our colorful, mobile-friendly Western Event Calendar is now online, courtesy of West7. Please let us know if your favorite event is missing. We'll pass your tip along.
Try our directory
The Academy of Western Artists directory includes a short bio, photo, and website link, and has a contact form for each member whose listing includes an email address. Search by name, location, or category of work.
Professional Members
Professional membership is open to those with five years as a paid professional in a genre or craft covered by the Academy, including Western/Cowboy music & poetry, Western Swing music, Western Country music, Western art, Western media, the Western culture industry, and Chuckwagon. Professional members are eligible to receive an award from the Academy if nominated. See the awards process for full details.
Associate Members
Associate membership is open to those who work in a genre or craft covered by the Academy, but who lack five years of paid experience. Associate members are not eligible to receive an award.
Join now - pay monthly
Membership can now be paid over 12 months. Join as a Professional for as little as $15 per month, or lock in a 3-year Professional membership for 12 payments of $36.