Arts and Traditions of Theattica Rodeo

A G ood Ride: Arts and Traditions of the Attica Rodeo July 1 5-December 2, 2012 Rodeo as Artistic Display January 1 3- May 26, 2013 egionalism in America is also reflect the particular places where they occur. a geographical designation, The Folk Arts Program of the Castellani Art Museum Rbut even more, it is a sort of celebrates, in part, the very local, exploring Western mental shorthand we use to ascribe character to New York for what sets it apart. We are proud to host place. In the imagination of the Midwest, where I grew A Good Ride , an exhibition that honors the creativity up, the state of New York is part of a bustling urban and hard work of local people –rodeo organizers and Northeast. But the state, participants, as well as the like the region, is not such perceptive scholars who take an easily characterized their talents seriously. monolith. Folklorists, few as we are, When I first moved to represent a tight network of Buffalo in the summer colleagues who collaborate of 2011, I was delighted by when we can to accomplish the prevalence of Western the ambitious task of imagery, being welcomed to uncovering the overlooked in the city by a herd of bronze our midst. Folklorists Karen bison grazing along the Canning and Claire Aubrey, New York State Thruway. working with the Arts Council Throughout the area, for Wyoming County, share country line dancing is with us their fine research, popular, horse culture and by extension, introduce is prevalent, and rodeo is us to a community of rodeo a long-standing tradition. experts and connoisseurs Much of the United States living in a small corner is, and has long been, of Western New York. captivated by a Like the other forms romanticized American of artistic expression West. Somehow, the local displayed in our museum, affinity displayed in the art of rodeo adheres Western New York seems to a set of aesthetic more appropriate than it guidelines that may not be does in some other places. immediately apparent to This area, after all, is viewers. From the handmade another frontier, the costumes of a trick rider Niagara Frontier, a once to the well-delivered banter wild land dominated An abiding interest in of the rodeo announcer, the by dramatic landscapes. individuals documented in the American West has left its An abiding interest in the this exhibition are invested American West has left mark across the United States, in perfecting their craft, and importantly, displaying its mark across the United producing a far-reaching States, producing a it for the approval of an far-reaching rodeo circuit, rodeo circuit, as well as audience who will appraise as well as a vibrant a vibrant sub-culture. its quality. Through this sub-culture. As the study exhibition, we hope visitors of folk arts reveals, even will come to understand how widespread traditions respond to localized tastes, excellence is judged within the Attica rodeo. histories, and populations. Rodeo may have originated Carrie Hertz Curator of Folk Arts in the West and spread nationally, but individual shows, like the annual rodeo held in Attica, New York, Cover: Jo Wright. Grand Entry , 2007 Jason Runfola, Saddle Bronc Rider , 2005 “Sold to the boys in the white T-shirts!” n 1957, an auctioneer shouted out this winning photos, posters, and other ephemera from over the bid on four horses, and four teenage boys from decades. We traveled across the state to talk to cowboys Ithe newly-formed Attica and Chaffee Rodeo Club and cowgirls and attend other rodeos, and we were thrilled loaded them up and took them home in hopes of staging when the Association graciously allowed us to camp out on their first rodeo. Growing up in the rolling hills of Wyoming the Attica grounds with longtime rodeo organizers and County, New York, they had a working knowledge of dairy families during subsequent years. farming and livestock. A regional equine culture fed their What we learned over the next several years wasn’t only interest in trail riding and horsemanship, as well as the about a weekend event, but also an equine culture and popularity of the American West in the entertainment community that is active throughout the year. It includes culture of the day. Spurred on with the help of adult rodeo organizers, contestants, fans, local families, stock mentors and families, the boys and their friends held the contractors, performers, announcers, clowns, and rodeo that year little knowing their show would continue traditional craftsmen, like leatherworkers and blacksmiths. and grow into a multigenerational endeavor for the next They in turn are connected to a similar national rodeo 56 years –and counting. community that holds Attica in high regard for both its I first attended the Attica Rodeo in the 1970s with professionalism and hometown atmosphere. The Attica my grandparents on a hot August afternoon, where it Rodeo owes its success to broad support, being a town- evoked memories of our trip together to the western wide event involving sponsors and volunteers from many states. I didn’t think about the rodeo again until much commercial, charitable, religious, and fraternal later, when my work brought me back to it in 2005 as the organizations. It is also fully sanctioned by professional Attica Rodeo and Show Association was preparing for its rodeo associations, attracting championship competitors 50th anniversary. Folklorist Claire Aubrey and I started and quality livestock. Like many regional rodeo sponsors, working with the Association to document their experiences the Association remains a volunteer-run, non-profit entity. and history, conducting interviews and gathering together It shares the benefits of maintaining a rodeo with its Bull Rider, Not Making 8 Seconds? , 2008 surrounding community by donating money and time to every participant speaks of a partnership with the horses community groups, as well as use of the arena grounds and stock with whom they work. Each relationship is a to various equestrian clubs. unique blend of skills, experience, and personalities. As I learned how A barrel racer works for years to train her horse, while the rodeo network a bronc rider may reaches far have just eight beyond Attica’s seconds to boundaries and achieve success started to with his equine understand the co-competitor. intricate and At the 50th Attica layered meanings Rodeo in 2007, it holds for its Claire Aubrey and members, I was I installed a also continuously historical display reminded of how using the resources very localized our we had gathered traditions can be. during our research. In talking to friends We organized and colleagues demonstrations about the rodeo, of bareback riding I was often met with techniques, roping, surprise that such 2010 Attica Rodeo and Show Officers and Directors , 2010 leatherworking, and a thing existed clowning. We also here –even from lifelong residents of our area. If you are hosted a storytelling session for people to share their not a bull rider or barrel racer or one of the eight thousand rodeo memories. The enthusiastic response from people who attend the rodeo each year, you might never participants and the wealth of information that we encounter it, despite its very public presence. Like many collected led to the idea of sharing the Attica Rodeo story communal traditions, validation of rodeo-related knowledge, with a wider audience. The next step seemed logical: an skills, and talents do not necessarily depend on exhibit! Brody Wheeler, official Attica rodeo photographer recognition from outsiders, but rather acquire meaning and since 1990 and attendee since childhood, offered the worth within the rodeo community through the continuation use of his extensive photo archive. Attica Rodeo members, of shared experience. friends, and fans pitched in, loaning A shared experience doesn’t A shared experience equipment and memorabilia to bring the exhibit to life. mean a homogenous one. doesn’t mean a homogenous one. Rodeo is at once an evocation A Good Ride: Arts and Traditions of a nostalgic American past Rodeo is at once an evocation of the Attica Rodeo is the result of and a complex staging of of a nostalgic American past this collaborative project between athletes, animals, and the Arts Council for Wyoming entertainers. An afternoon’s and a complex staging of athletes, County, the Attica Rodeo and fun is supported by hundreds animals, and entertainers. Show Association, and the extended of volunteer hours in food family of the Rodeo. It represents tents, ticket booths, arena maintenance, and cleanup our efforts to take you beyond the arena and into the crews. A rodeo cowboy embodies ideals of patriotism, chutes, stalls, campers, trailers, meeting rooms and living independence and ranch life. He also drives through rooms of the rodeo’s many participants. Through the the night to compete in three rodeos in as many days. words, images, tools, and arts of Attica’s cowboys and Female trick riders swap fabric and remake hand-me-down cowgirls, we invite you to learn about their unique talents costumes, while bronc and bull riders spend hours and experiences. And perhaps, like we did, you will find customizing gloves, riggings, and ropes to achieve a some of your own story in the tradition of rodeo. precisely individualized fit. Clowns perform rehearsed and Karen Canning Traditional Arts Program Director improvised routines with announcers, and then may face Arts Council for Wyoming County off with a bull to distract him from a fallen cowboy. Nearly Trick Rider Loretta Pemberton, Liberty Stand , 2006 An Overview of American Rodeo he roots of contemporary American rodeo and sideshows. These shows did much to establish a can be traced to the turn of the 20th near mythical ethos and nostalgic image of the American Tcentury when multiple cultures, historical West which persists in our national consciousness today.

Load more