COUNTY LIFE
Leather innovator – Dell Motley instilled her faith in all her art
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Dell Motley was an innovator in leathergoods creating new techniques that brought cowhides to life for retail customers, but also bringing her faith to that unique canvass in a bold, never-before-done way.
A new book, “Dell Motley Leather Artist,” by Gale Cochran-Smith published under the auspices of the Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum explores Motley’s life and how she came to be a renowned leather artist. Motley’s extensive collection of artwork, tools, personal memoirs and documents are all part of the permanent collection of the museum.
The artist gifted her collection to the museum in 1996 shortly before her death in November 1997, and while it would be 13 years before the museum building was completed, her work is a major part of TNT.
This is Cochran-Smith’s fifth published book and her fourth to explore the tenets of the museum focus. The Motley book joins “Up the Chisholm Trail,” “The North Field of Montague County” and “Wichita The Story of the Taovayas.” All that is left now is agriculture.
Read the full feature and learn about Dell Motley’s unique leather artwork in the weekend Bowie News.
The Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Oct. 12 in the County Courtroom at the Courthouse Annex in Montague.
Commissioners are scheduled to consider issuing a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month within Montague County.
The court also will consider accepting $850 in unanticipated revenue for the sheriff’s office generated during National Night Out activities, alongside interlocal cooperation contracts between the Texas Department of Public Safety and Justices of the Peace for Precincts 1 and 2.
An executive session is scheduled to discuss personnel matters pertaining to sewer/septic inspector for the county. Any action would be taken back in open session.
The Oct. 9-11 Art of the Song Music and Art Festival opens Friday night for three days of art and entertainment in downtown Nocona.
The festival opens on Oct. 9 with a Chisholm Trail Art Association Preview Party from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the H.J. Justin Building.
Come see all the entries for the adult show, which formally opens at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10.
Live music will be played by Full Circle Band.
Also on Oct. 9 enjoy a Nocona Nights Street Dance from 7 to 9 p.m. with the Mark Murphey and Highway 82 Band. Cost is $10 per ticket and $200 for a table seating eight. Bring your lawn chairs.
Read the full schedule of events for the festival in your Thursday Bowie News.
These students are nominees for the 2026 homecoming court at Gold-Burg High School. Homecoming royals will be crowned in pre-game ceremonies before the Bears take on Throckmorton at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 9. Pictured are: Freshmen: Kenzley Foster and Jackson Allen, freshmen; Yareli Aguirre and Jojuan Grace, sophomores; Zara Andrade, junior and Brayden Odom, Kaylie Duncan, both seniors. Not pictured: Caleb Epperson, junior and Keelyn Case, senior.
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