Texas Spurs and the Artists Who Created Them

June 12, 2021 to January 30, 2022

This exhibition of the Hugh Edmondson Collection of spurs and bits contained spurs made over 120 years.  Featured artists include Joseph Petmecky, J.O. Bass, Kelly Brothers and three generations of the Boone family who were descendants of Daniel Boone, the well-known American frontier pioneer.  The collection includes work by Harold “Swede” Strong, an immigrant from Sweden and spurs made by Marvin “Cowboy” Traylor who is believed to have learned blacksmithing while serving time in a Texas State Penitentiary in the 1920’s.  The work of Wilson Capron, Randy Butters, and Billy Klapper incorporates creations by contemporary artisans.

Visitors can learn a brief history of spurs and the vocabulary of spur components like rowels, bottle openers and gal legs.  This collection of spurs showcases a variety of materials, finishes, intricate designs, sizes, and shapes. A short video takes viewers into the workshop of Wilson Capron while he engages in his creative spur making process.