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Michael

J. Guli

 
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Mike Guli has been designing and building historical costumes for over forty-four years. His specialty has been the making of early American leather clothing and accessories. Mike has produced clothing for movies such as “The Mountain Man,” “Made in America,” and "The Hateful 8," as well as garments for museums such as the Denver Art Museum and the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, WY. He has also designed outfits for many country and western performers. Mike Guli’s research enables his creations to reflect the flavor of the times in which they were originally produced. His sources of inspiration include museums, old paintings, and the examination of original pieces.

Mike’s educational background started at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where he studied painting, sculpture and clothing design, as well as Art History. Next he attended Adelphi University where he graduated with a degree in Art Education. Upon graduation, Mike was hired by the university as the Assistant Director of Arts and Crafts. Shortly thereafter, he became the Director. After several years at Adelphi, Mike was hired by North Shore University Hospital as an Art Therapist in their drug treatment program. Mike provided art therapy for drug dependent patients ranging in age from their teens to adulthood. After almost two years, he decided to follow his first love – the history of the American Old West. He moved to Colorado in 1976, and has been in business for himself ever since creating historically inspired garments and products.

Mike’s interest in the history of early America and the Old West developed from many years of research and his fascination with the men and women of that period. He combined his passion for history with his passion for creating and turned them into a career that has taken him from one end of the country to the other, as well as to Europe and Asia.

The years of research and study have helped Mike to develop many types of historical programs and educational reenactments, which he brings to schools in the northern Colorado area. He can authentically step into a variety of roles, from that of a mountain man to an Indian Wars scout, as he is an expert in the finer arts of survival of the Old West, including the use of a tomahawk, black powder firearms, and flint and steel fire making. His unique background in art and education and his passion for history have combined to enable him to successfully bring to life this exciting chapter of our American past with a hands-on way of teaching students of all ages.

Honors:
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"True West" Magazine
2010 "Best Living Period Men's Clothing Fashion Designer"
2015 "Best Period Western Clothing Maker"
2018 "Best Period Western Clothing Maker"
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SASS Wooly Award
2011 Best Merchant - River Crossing Inc.
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Western Design Conference, Jackson, WY
2016 "Best Artist in Leather"
2016 "Sunny Tuttle Spirit Award"
2017 Artist Judge
2018 "Western Spirit Award"