Flintlocks worth more than MY CAR | CLA Show 2024

Today we travel to Lexington Kentucky for the 2024 Contemporary Longrifle Association Annual Show.

About the Contemporary Longrifle Association

The organization defines its mission as a collaborative effort of its members dedicated to preserving the tradition of the contemporary long rifle, related accouterments, and art forms created after the mid-twentieth century.

The Annual CLA show is a massive gathering of artists, historians, collectors, and enthusiasts. It’s a weekend full of conversation, study, learning, shopping and relaxed “hang-outs” with makers of all skill levels. It can be intimidating to be around celebrity builders, but at the end of the day, they are at the show to share their knowledge and speak with attendees about the long rifle culture.

Contemporary Longrifle Association Annual Show Photos | 2024

Some of my table at the show

My father and I tabled at the show with some of our artwork and since being at the show, a lot of readers of the website stopped by and were suprised I had a table. Looking back on it, I didn’t make it very clear that I would be at the show with a table of my work. I’ve always kept my artwork a little separate from I Love Muzzleloading because I don’t want it to come off as a sales pitch (I hate sales pitches). If you’d like to see some of the stuff that was on my table, check out the slideshow below.

The CLA show is an event for everyone. The big names and the fantastic artwork are draws, sure, but the friendships, kindness, and conversations about longrifle culture are really what keep bringing me back. I hope you’ll consider attending in the future.