The Atelier
Sarah Garvey
Artist, Mother, Maker
Wisconsin born and raised, I moved to Arizona to study music. Summers were spent travelling the country, building hiking trails for various National Parks, Forests and Monuments. After earning a Degree of Music in Flute Performance from Northern Arizona University, I found myself at a crossroads. As fate would have it, I met a cowboy and ended up on a path I never knew was an option. Building on my classical music training and lifelong love for the natural world, I immersed myself in leatherworking. Living on remote ranches across the Southwest, it became a welcome escape from the solitude. Fast forward almost 20 years, I've built a life around it, raised my kids, travelled the world teaching others and am still fascinated by leather. I love the challenge of blending form with function, craft with art. Every piece tells a story as unique and enduring as the women who own them and I am proud to be a part of that continued legacy.
Studio
Surrounded by cacti, sun and wide open country.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
- Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ- Bachelor of Music, performance cum laude 2004
Teaching
- Southwest Leatherworkers Trade Show, Prescott, AZ February 2025- "Gussets, Gussets, Gussets", "Deep Cuts", "Scrolls, Scrolls, Scrolls", "Non-Traditional Scrollwork", "Paint Mixing + Color Theory", "Leather Masterclass", "Drawing Fundamentals", "Photographing your work"
- European Leatherworkers and Artists Trade Show, Arnhem, Netherlands October 2024-"Non-Traditional Scrollwork", "Practice with Purpose", "Photographing your work", "Scrolls, Scrolls, Scrolls"
- Learn With Illume, www.go.illumeconnect.com June 2024-present, "Pattern Drafting", "Paint Mixing", "Bouquet Wraps"
Shows
- National Finals Rodeo, Stetson Country Christmas, Las Vegas, NV 2016-2019
- Western Heritage Classic, Abilene, TX 2015-2017
- Santa Fe Spanish Market, Santa Fe, NM 2013-2015
- Challenge NM Art Festival, Santa Fe, NM 2014-15
- Fountain Hills Festival of the Arts, Fountain Hills, AZ 2014
- Tempe Festival of the Arts, Tempe, AZ 2013
Publications
- Cover Art, Leather Crafters Journal, July/August 2026, Vol. 36 No. 4
- Practice with Purpose, Leather Crafters Journal, September/October 2024, Vol. 34 No. 5
Bibliography
- Lisa Drysdale "Bags of Creativity" We Are Makers, Eighth Edition, 2023
- Don Gonzalez "Sarah Garvey" Lost Trade Podcast, June 2022
- Gene Fowler "Emergence of the Circle" Shoptalk! Magazine, Salina, UT, July 2022
- Gene Fowler "Western Skies Handmade" Shoptalk! Magazine, Salina, UT August 2018
Organizations
- Cowgirl Artists of America, Signature Member and member of Board of Operations 2024-present
Professional Services
- Mentor, The Rodear Sally Knowles Joseph Scholarship June 2026
- Juror, Youth Division, World Leather Debut 2026 Sheridan, WY
- Mentor, The Rodear Sally Knowles Joseph Scholarship June 2025