Art of Building a Community
By our actions, we wish to demonstrate the legendary proceedings of the men and women, unafraid of hard work, who founded the west, and the lifestyle that gave them the courage it took to endure its hardships and lead them to a better life.
In the 1800’s every large ranch held a rodeo or a “cattle cutting” and invited the entire community out to be involved. So began the “Art of Building a Community”. Ranchers revealed crafts, sold wares, exchanged recipes, but most of all, they shared laughter and ideas. They worked side by side to teach and guide their children and developed a strong community.
Gold Buckle Champion continues the tradition of our Western Heritage by teaching and guiding our children. Our focus is on developing a pride in craftsmanship, the value of hard work, and instilling can-do attitudes in our children with various projects in Treasure Valley.
Imagine the Champion in You .. Make a Difference
3rd @ Karcher Mall

Call to Artisans! And Anyone Who Wants to Have FUN!!
Please join us for the 3rd weekend of each month for our "Art of Building a Community" at Karcher Mall. This is designed for artisans to display and sell their pieces in a climate controlled environment - 72 degrees and sunny every day without wind!
It is FREE to set up a 10x10 booth for each 3rd Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in Karcher Mall.
?For those artists who want to spend a weekend, we have limited space in a vacant retail space where you can set up for the entire weekend, starting Friday evening at 5:00 pm and running till Sunday at 6:00 pm . A 10x10 space is just $10.00 for the entire weekend.
Art! Food! Fun for Everyone!
Art is the catalyst for economic growth in communities. It organizes people in an atmosphere that stimulates imagination and ideas. It provides avenues for youth to become socially conscious and engaged entrepreneurs who bridge economic and cultural differences.
When people become involved in the design, creation, and upkeep of places, they develop a vested interest in using and maintaining these spaces. When they have a true sense of “ownership” or connection to the places they frequent, the community becomes a better place to live... to work... and to visit.
Join us in building a better tomorrow for Karcher Mall and Nampa!
Contact Bob Lyle who is volunteering to help us with this endeavor. 208.371.9834 [email protected]
Imagine the Champion in You!
Stampede Community Festival Horses
?All the businesses and individuals of Nampa are encouraged to show their support by displaying a decorated horse out in front to show the strength of our community. These are not just limited to business, and everyone is encouraged to participate. We started this project by offering this for kids to decorate to win something for their community leader (classroom/teacher). Judging for the kids’ horses is voted on at various locations in the month of June. Four teachers/groups in our area will win a classroom makeover, money for trips to national competitions for teams, or cash prizes for other worthy projects or registered non-profits. Gold Buckle Champion is willing to custom decorate these horses for each business for a donation to our “Legends in the Making” program, which rewards our youth for doing positive things in their community.
“We want this to be a true example of our western heritage and the community involvement that made this country, and made us strong. We want to include as many Artists, Contestants, Sponsors, and Volunteers as possible and let them be our inspiration.” said Executive Director, Sue Marostica
Gold Buckle Champions is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization….to further the education of equine health and safety, while preserving our western heritage and history, by promoting events that incorporate the youth and community. Daring everyone to Imagine the Champion within themselves.
Art Classes

Join us in building our community through art! Classes have started, and more to follow!
Class schedules have been updated! View the schedule HERE. Sign up now! Class sizes are limited! (Click on "Show more Sign Ups" to see all that is available)
Gold Buckle Champion teaches the fundamentals of art to everyone for free. This is a 16 week course, divided into 4 classes each. Sign up NOW! Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date!
Fundamentals of Art - Drawing. This 4 week program that covers the first 6 basic essentials to art – Line, Shape, Form, Value, Texture and Space or Perspective. Additionally, students will be given instruction on composition. Students will have several exercises to do and will create an original artwork based on their knowledge of these 6 essentials of art
4 consecutive weeks course Cost: FREE. Limited to 12 students
(We can start a new class from the beginning, but we need at least 4 people to do this. Email Lisa Bower, to set this up)
Fundamentals of Art - Color. This 4 week program covers the basics of Color Theory and Composition. Students will create color wheels, learn about color schemes, how to mix colors and what makes for a great composition. Students will have several exercises to do and will create an original artwork in color using acrylic paints.
4 consecutive weeks course Cost: FREE. Limited to 12 students
Self-Identity Portrait. This series encourages students to think about themselves in terms of symbolism. In this program, students explore what factors such as race, religion and family shape their personal identity. They will then create self-portraits made up of objects, symbols and/or imagery that represent various parts of their identities.
4 consecutive weeks course Cost: FREE. Limited to 12 students
Western Heritage Project These lessons will cover what Western Heritage is and what that means to the students today. Western Heritage is a lifestyle. This includes work, family, community. Western Heritage was the generation that instituted the “reduce, reuse, repurpose” program. Nothing went to waste and values were high principles of living. These included family, hard work and pride in craftsmanship.
4 consecutive weeks course Cost: FREE. Limited to 12 students
Additional Art Classes Acrylics, Biro Technique (Ball Point Pen Beginner and Advance), Crochet 101 & 102, Learning to Weave, Coffee & Color Book, Clay Figure Sculpting, Water Color Pencils, and more!
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Sponsors
Previous Horse Sponsors
![]() Artist Lisa Bower | Thank you Les Schwab Tires |
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![]() | Thank You Peterson's Stampede Dodge for purchasing the Purple Heart |
![]() | Thank You Peterson's Stampede Dodge for purchasing "Cowboy" |
![]() | Thank you Melissa Close for purchasing this for the Nampa Kiwanis Club |
![]() | Thank you Melissa Close for purchasing this for the Nampa Fire Department |
![]() | Thank you Melissa Close for purchasing this for the Nampa Fire Department |
![]() | Thank you Melissa Close for purchasing "Country" to show your support of our Community |
![]() | Thank you Mary Villarreal for purchasing this horse to support our community! |
![]() | Thank you Mary Villarreal for purchasing this horse by artist Robin Cox for our projects! |
![]() | Thank You Les Schwab Tires for purchasing the School Makeover Winner and sponsoring the Dummy Roping Contest |
![]() | Thank You Julene Dodd for supporting our youth and community! |
![]() | Thank You Dan Campbell and Campbell Tractor for supporting our "Legends in the Making" |
![]() | Thank you Chris for purchasing Budweiser for our community |
![]() | Thank You Andy Rodriquez for purchasing "Book of Life" to show your support of our Community |
![]() | Thank You Andy Rodriquez and Nampa Housing Authority for showing your support for our community. |
![]() | Thank you Les Schwab Tires |
![]() Artist Angela Stout - Paintings by AKS | Thank you Peterson's Stampede Dodge |
![]() Artist Sue Marostica | Thank you Peterson's Stampede Dodge |
![]() Artist Robin Cox | Thank you Peterson's Stampede Dodge |
Our success depends on you. We want to help ensure your success. Please contact us so we can show you how you can get involved and how we can help promote you as well.
Host a Gold Buckle event at your location?
Display our western heritage art projects at your location for people's choice?
Tell us your idea!
Volunteers
Please consider joining our group of dedicated community members in making Treasure Valley great!
Our success depends on our caring volunteers.
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Previous Winners
Scroll to the bottom for some amazing stories!
2016 Stampede Festival Horse Winners
Vote on this years horses at these locations and dates
Vote!
You can only vote one time online but you can visit each of these locations listed below and vote again!
The top four horses with the most votes will win cash prizes for their “community” projects.
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Please consider contributing to our tax-deductible causes
Would like to know more about the Stampede Community Festival Horses. And I would also like to know if Robin and Lisa are doing any classes. Thank You.
Thanks for visiting Judy! Robin's class schedule is listed HERE and we will post more on the Festival as the time draws nearer.
What is the theme for 2016? I thought i saw it somewhere but now I cant find it. Thank you!