Bill Gomer - 1986 Al Stohlman Award Winner
Announcing the Winners of the 1986 Al Stohlman Award for Achievement in Leathercraft
Winner Bill Gomer
Bill Gomer was born in Stockton, California on August 14, 1940. He started leathercrafting at nine years of age in his father’s saddle shop.
From there, his career in leather has been vast, ranging from making and repairing saddles, recreational specialist in the U.S. Army, and teaching many others the art of leathercraft and saddle making. His involvement in leathercrafts has allowed Bill to receive numerous awards and recognition in the field. His inexhaustible commitment to the craft has influenced beginners and skilled craftsmen alike to pursue and achieve great things with their art. He has been instrumental in establishing leather guilds in a number of cities including Anchorage, Alaska; Des Moines, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Urbana, Illinois; Springfield, Illinois; Peoria, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Lincoln, Nebraska; Springfield, Missouri; and Topeka, Kansas.
Recently, Bill received a commission from the National Endowment for the Arts to demonstrate “The Folk Life Art of Building a Western Saddle.” The commission will allow Bill to give extended leathercraft exhibitions in observance of the State of Kansas’ 125th birthday.
"Announcing the Winners of the 1986 Al Stohlman Award for Achievement in Leathercraft”. The Leather Craftsman. Nov/Dec 1986: p 15. Print.