Rosemary Wilkie
Rosemary Wilkie a saddle maker of 20 years who started her work through the NMA Folk Arts Apprenticeship program, and who is determined to guide future generations of saddle makers and help keep the great arts of the past alive.
Rosemary Wilkie
Carlsbad
2022 Recipient, Crafts
Rosemary Wilkie (Carlsbad) a saddle maker of 20 years who started her work through the NMA Folk Arts Apprenticeship program, and who is determined to guide future generations of saddle makers and help keep the great arts of the past alive.
Rosemary Wilkie is proud to be the first of three generations of women saddle makers, followed by her daughter-in-law and granddaughters. Wilkie got her start when her 5-year-old son had an ornery pony and a saddle in need of repairs; she used whatever materials were available, even the top of an old boot. When she purchased a sewing machine, an unmade saddle, and other tools from a former saddle maker, he explained what the tools were and how to use them. Through the Folk Arts Apprenticeship program, a program conducted by the state arts agency NMA, Wilkie started as an apprentice and worked her way up to becoming a mentor, determined to guide future generations of saddle makers and help keep the great arts of the past alive.