Discovering Cody, Wyoming’s Legacy of Western Art at By Western Hands

Some places you visit are well known and other places sneak up on you. By Western Hands snuck up on me. I expected a gallery; perhaps some furniture, some leather, some silver.

What I found was overwhelming. Here was a place where Western art is treated not as something beyond reach and behind glass, but as a living skill set. Western art is something crafted by hand, used in everyday life, and passed from one generation to the next.

By Western Hands is a nonprofit organization opened in 2018. It emerged as a combination of earlier efforts in Cody by the Western Design Conference and Cody High Style. They helped establish Cody as an important center for Western design.

Today, the gallery/museum/training school’s mission is education, conservation, and perpetuation of Western functional art. This means teaching the skills, preserving the traditions, and making sure these art forms do not disappear.

A Showcase for Western Craftsmanship

While the works here possess the beauty and presence of fine art, they were also created for use. This is art with a story to tell. Nothing feels mass-produced. The pieces are beautiful, but they also have an underlying usefulness that gives them additional significance.

Furniture and home décor are a large share of the store’s collection. Visitors will see tables, chairs, desks, cabinets, lamps, mirrors, and decorative objects combining traditional craftsmanship with highly individual designs. Wood, metal, leather, stone, and other materials are crafted into decor that can define a room while remaining practical enough for everyday life.

You will also find beautiful, unique jewelry, along with a limited selection of clothing and wearable pieces. By Western Hands prioritizes one-of-a-kind work and is intentionally selective in its clothing. Custom orders are occasionally available for pieces such as vests and jackets depending on the artist.

Throughout the store, shoppers can see how traditional Western materials and imagery are relevant to today’s artisans. As the executive director notes, certain artists work closely within established regional traditions, while others reinterpret the West through unexpected forms, patterns, or combinations of materials. This results in a varied collection shaped by geography, heritage, personal experience, and technical skill.

Every object is unique and that makes browsing feel like a process of discovery. Inventory changes as works are sold, and as new pieces arrive, so the experience can be different with each visit.

Maintaining a consistently high standard of artisans is central to the By Western Hands model. They do not simply rent space or submit products for automatic placement in the store. Prospective members complete an application and submit examples of their work for consideration through an anonymous juried process.

Interestingly, one working artist serves on this jury. The artist’s position rotates annually.  This brings an authentic perspective and can help other jurors recognize the technical demands, material choices, and construction methods that go into a finished piece. This process bolsters the idea that Western functional art is not just decorative. It is a form of art requiring creativity, discipline, technical knowledge, and years of practice.

Keeping Traditional Skills Alive

By Western Hands is not only a retail space. It is also an instruction space. Teaching is integral to the gallery’s mission. Participating artists agree to share their knowledge with others. This ensures specialized techniques do not fade as the generations change. Some artists are comfortable leading larger workshops, while others prefer the focused setting of one-on-one instruction.

Within the building behind the gallery there is a functioning workshop. Public classes, demonstrations, and customized instruction are all part of what takes place here. Previous classes have included spoon-making, table lamps, coasters, scissor cases, small dolls, and beaded leather mitts. These classes allow potential artisans to experience the patience and precision required to produce handmade work.

The goal is not simply to send people home with a finished project. These classes create direct connections between artisans and the public fostering a true appreciation for the art itself. Serious students can access training opportunities and partnerships enabling deeper learning in traditional Western craft.

Within the building is also the Legacy Artisan Gallery, a museum and archive area. I found this section interesting and informative. This distinct combination of gallery, retail space, museum, workshop, and classroom makes By Western Hands feel less like a shop and more like a community.

Experiencing By Western Hands

Visitors can walk through the gallery at their own pace and take photographs. You can decide if your visit will be an introduction to contemporary Western design, a shopping trip, or an informal lesson in artistry.

By Western Hands reminds us that the line between art and craft is thinner than many pretend, especially in the West. Useful items can be made using an artist’s inspired imagination. If you are looking to buy a unique item of furniture, an original piece of home décor, handcrafted jewelry, or something wearable unavailable anywhere else, this is your place. A pair of lovely, beaded mitts can give you a one-of-a-kind item with history and beauty while also being used regularly. Functional art can, and does, offer all the above.

For art lovers visiting Cody, By Western Hands is a must-stop. It is a place to slow down, look closely, and appreciate Western craftsmanship at its finest. It proves that preserving tradition does not mean abandoning Western art. The traditions and skills shown here survive because talented people continue to practice, teach, and find ways to make them meaningful.

A visit here is a reminder that Western art is not simply for viewing. It is to be used in everyday life.