In Memorium: Ricarda McCleary Cause

Published on: Author: Christal

Ricarda McCleary Cause in her workshop

In Memoriam,

 Ricarda McCleary Cause

December 22, 2016

We recently learned of Ricarda McCleary Cause’s passing. Our condolences go out to her family and friends. Cause was a world class silversmith whose lifetime of work has been featured in books, on public television, and in western art galleries. She sold her pieces at the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering and the Western Folklife Center has featured her work. As a child who grew up on a ranch in Winnemucca, Nevada, Cause admired her father’s workshop and “loved being out there with all the tools.” Inspired by her mother’s love of silver jewelry, Cause started with silver belt buckles.

Silver bracelet by Ricarda McCleary Cause

 

Later making more jewelry than bits and spurs, she continued to make exquisitely crafted belt buckles, bracelets, and concho belts. Cause made her home in Lakeview where she she married, reared a daughter, and later taught silversmithing to her son-in-law, Jimmy van Bell. Cause continued to collect tools for her well-appointed home workshop. Ricarda McCleary Cause’s silverwork had both local and international renown. More on her life and work may be found here.

Silver belt buckle by Ricarda McCleary Cause

 

 

 

 

Categories: Newsletters

Christal

Christal Snyder is a first-year M.A. student in Folklore and Public Culture. She obtained her B.A. in Anthropology from California State University, Fullerton where she served as president of the Anthropology Student Association and treasurer of the Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society, Chapter ETA. Through involvement with student organizations, she became interested in developing and implementing cultural programming. Her research interests lie in folk religious beliefs and rituals and the revitalization of such practices. By analyzing the perpetuation of folklore archetypes and their patrons, she seeks understanding of modern alternative spiritualities. As an archivist at the Randall V. Mills Archives of Northwest Folklore, she served as an editor for Cooking with Folklore, accessioned and processed newly acquired materials, and assisted in the curation of an exhibit. Her work at OFN includes coordinating the newsletter, drafting folk arts award nominations, facilitating staff meetings, and assisting in the curation of exhibits. Outside of academia, Christal enjoys immersing herself in a good story, adventuring into nature, and discovering new documentaries.