Wyoming Arts Council

Wyoming Artist Reba Teran Awarded Taproot Fellowship

Featured News, Program News | May 28, 2025

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Reba Teran, a traditional Shoshone saddle maker and beadworker from Fort Washakie, has been awarded a Taproot Fellowship from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA).

According to ACTA, the Taproot Fellowship “honors 25 traditional artists who embody ancestral knowledge and act as community leaders, healers, and agents of cultural continuity. Each Fellow receives $50,000 in unrestricted funding and an additional $10,000 to allocate toward a person or initiative in their community. These artists are not just practitioners of tradition—they are architects of belonging, continuity, and care.” The fellows are from communities all across the country.

Teran is recognized for her excellence in traditional Shoshone saddle making and beadworking. Teran began learning beadwork from her sister, Beatrice, when she was 11 years old. Teran has also previously participated in the Wyoming Arts Council’s Folk and Traditional Arts Mentoring Grant program, passing on her knowledge to others in the community. Additionally, Teran is known for her work in preserving the Shoshone language.  

“The Wyoming Arts Council extends congratulations to Reba for this well-deserved recognition,” said Josh Chrysler, folklorist for the Wyoming Arts Council. “Her work is beautiful, and over her career, she has made major contributions to supporting the cultural traditions of her community.” 

For more information about the Taproot Fellowship, the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, and to view the complete list of Fellows, visit their website here: taproot.actaonline.org

For additional information, please contact the Wyoming Arts Council’s Folklorist and Health & Wellness Specialist, Josh Chrysler, at joshua.chrysler@wyo.gov or 307-256-2010. You can also learn more about the Wyoming Arts Council at wyomingartscouncil.org.

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