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LEATHER DEPARTMENT

Calendar

    • Thursday, March 21, 2024
    • 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
    • 116 NW Bridge St. Room 10
    Register


    Join us for our Artist Meetup. We will meet monthly to share ideas, collaborate and meet other professional (and aspiring professional) artists. Painters, sculptors, writers, photographers - all are welcome. 

    RSVP here!

    For questions or more information:

    Call: 541-575-1335

    Come in: 116 NW Bridge St. John Day OR

    Email: paintedskycenter@gmail.com


    • Friday, April 05, 2024
    • Saturday, April 06, 2024
    • 2 sessions
    • 116 Bridge St - Room 5 - John Day, OR
    • 5
    Register


    Bring a mug or travel cup to class to make a sleeve/cover. Sleeves can be made with or without a handle and decorated to your style!

    All ages

    Skill Level: Beginner


    Hey, I'm Julie Smucker! I've always loved horses and leather and all things western. I started in leatherwork a little while ago and then had the amazing opportunity to apprentice under Clair Kehrberg! Now I enjoy creating beautiful and functional leather items.





    **************************************************************************

    PSCA cancellation policy: Teacher reserves the right to cancel if class size minimum is not reached. You will receive a full refund in this case or if the instructor needs to cancel for other reasons. 

    If you need to cancel: Cancellations within a week of class start date will receive a 50% refund. After that a refund will not be issued. Our teachers and staff put a lot of work in to be ready for your class. If you need to cancel, please communicate with us as soon as possible. 


    • Monday, April 08, 2024
    • Monday, April 22, 2024
    • 3 sessions
    • 116 Bridge St - Room 5 - John Day, OR
    • 4
    Register


    In this class students will be introduced to the basics of leather tooling. They will stamp or tool four leather coasters that will be theirs to keep. We will go over the basics of geometric stamping as well as the basics of western floral tooling.

    If you have your own tools, please bring them. There will be tools available.

    Ages 16 and up 

    Skill level - beginner


    Leon Pielstick

    Started leathercraft and tooling at age 10. Made his first saddle with a Tandy Kit at age 14. He has made an abundance of belts and wallets and has mentored other leather workers in leather tooling and saddle making.

    Leon attended OSU and graduated from Colorado State University Veterinary School. He was a practicing veterinarian in Burns until retirement and moved to John Day in 2017.


    • Saturday, April 13, 2024
    • 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • 116 NW Bridge Street, John Day, OR, 97845

    Come on down to Painted Sky Center for the Arts for our

    Spring Fling Open House!

    All art departments will have demonstrations and interactive activities!

    Coffee and Refreshments!

    Bring your family and come and have some fun!

    Open to the general public

    • Tuesday, April 16, 2024
    • Tuesday, April 23, 2024
    • 2 sessions
    • 116 Bridge St - Room 5 - John Day, OR
    • 6
    Register


    In this class each person will be making a pair of stirrup hobbles. They can stamp or tool or both. These are a great little project that can add a personalized touch to your saddle.

    All ages

    Skill Level: Beginner


    Hey, I'm Julie Smucker! I've always loved horses and leather and all things western. I started in leatherwork a little while ago and then had the amazing opportunity to apprentice under Clair Kehrberg! Now I enjoy creating beautiful and functional leather items.





    **************************************************************************

    PSCA cancellation policy: Teacher reserves the right to cancel if class size minimum is not reached. You will receive a full refund in this case or if the instructor needs to cancel for other reasons. 

    If you need to cancel: Cancellations within a week of class start date will receive a 50% refund. After that a refund will not be issued. Our teachers and staff put a lot of work in to be ready for your class. If you need to cancel, please communicate with us as soon as possible. 


    • Tuesday, May 07, 2024
    • Tuesday, May 21, 2024
    • 3 sessions
    • 116 Bridge St - Room 5 - John Day, OR
    • 5
    Register


    In this class we are making a simple tote bag with a single outside pocket.

    Carry your stuff around in style.

    All ages

    Skill Level: Beginner


    Hey, I'm Julie Smucker! I've always loved horses and leather and all things western. I started in leatherwork a little while ago and then had the amazing opportunity to apprentice under Clair Kehrberg! Now I enjoy creating beautiful and functional leather items.





    **************************************************************************

    PSCA cancellation policy: Teacher reserves the right to cancel if class size minimum is not reached. You will receive a full refund in this case or if the instructor needs to cancel for other reasons. 

    If you need to cancel: Cancellations within a week of class start date will receive a 50% refund. After that a refund will not be issued. Our teachers and staff put a lot of work in to be ready for your class. If you need to cancel, please communicate with us as soon as possible. 



Meet the Teachers



Clair Kehrberg

Clair began her leather working journey in high school under the tutelage of local saddle maker Tom Berry. Upon graduation from high school she attended a two year saddle making program at Spokane Falls Community College with Verlane Desgrange as the instructor. She earned an associates degree in saddle making there. She spent a short time as an apprentice with Randy Severe at Severe Bros Saddlery in Pendleton Oregon. In 2007 Clair received a scholarship from the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association to study with world renowned saddle maker Dale Harwood. Clair has operated her own leather arts business since 2004 where she has made everything from custom western saddles to key chains and just about everything in between! She has won awards for her work and the World Leather Debut in Wyoming and been recognized for her handbags at the International Independent Handbag Designer Awards in New York City. Over the years her work has been featured in such magazines as Western Horseman, Cowboys & Indians, Western Art & Architecture and many others.


Leon Pielstick

Leon started leathercraft and tooling at age 10. He made his first saddle with a Tandy Kit at age 14. He has made an abundance of belts and wallets and has mentored other leather workers in leather tooling and saddle making.

Leon attended OSU and graduated from Colorado State University Veterinary School. He was a practicing veterinarian in Burns until retirement and moved to John Day in 2017.



Julie Smucker

Hey, I'm Julie Smucker! I've always loved horses and leather and all things western. I started in leatherwork a little while ago and then apprenticed under the amazing Clair Kehrberg! Now I enjoy making, and working with, a variety of leather projects.


Leather Department Committee



Leather Department Lead

Clair Kehrberg

ckehrberg@outlook.com 


Teach a Class

Interested in teaching or volunteering for the Leather Department? Contact Clair at ckehrberg@outlook.com

Leather Store



Painted Sky Center for the Arts is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Your support matters.

Thank you for supporting the arts in Eastern Oregon. 

Painted Sky Center for the Arts offers its programs equally to all people



Physical Address: 116 NW Bridge St. John Day, Oregon 97845

Mailing Address: 116 NW Bridge St. John Day, Oregon 97845 Ste 9

Call: (541) 575-1335

Email: paintedskycenter@gmail.com

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