Scott Hardy

When it comes to mastercrafted Western materials in silver and gold, few living artists are as gifted or revered in their craft as Canadian silver and goldsmith Scott Hardy. The Alberta-based artist is a fifth-generation stockman and a self-taught artist whose works are collected around the world. He’s also a founding member of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association.

He began studying silversmithing in the 1970s and eventually threw everything into it in 1981. By the 1990s, he was quickly becoming one of the most recognized hand engravers and silversmiths in North America. Not only was his work widely collected then, and still today, but he also received major awards around the country and was commissioned by numerous celebrities, including tennis star Andre Agassi, actress Brooke Shields and country music performers Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Dwight Yoakam and Brooks & Dunn.

In addition, Scott has designed works of art for hatmaker Stetson, co-authored books about silversmithing, taught at the Smithsonian Institute and, in 2012, was commissioned to design 100 belt buckles for the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede. The buckle was later incorporated into a postage stamp.

“Embellishing horse and rider with precious metal is a tradition as old as man on horseback,” he says, “and deserves the respect of being done one piece at a time by hand.”

Some of his work includes belt buckles, concho belts, bracelets and other jewelry, flasks and decanters, saddle silver and special commissions. Like many TCAA members he also collaborates closely with leather artists on saddles, bags, bolos and other works of art.

For information visit www.scotthardy.com or on Instagram (@scotthardysilversmith).