Tryon Arts and Crafts School (TACS) recently reorganized their leadership structure by eliminating the executive director position and adding three part-time director positions. According to president of the board, Ruby Drew, TACS was in a very good situation whereby the growth of the school required more leadership than a single position could cover. The board of directors developed a plan whereby three part-time directors were hired based on their skill sets and were paired with increased needs of the school.
The new director of workshops and classes and senior director is Julie McIntyre. McIntyre has served TACS as previous president of the board, chair of capital projects and co-chair of the workshop committee. She teaches courses in felting, metal work and lampworking. She is a licensed architect and has worked in that field for 33 years. McIntyre has lived in Tryon for 10 years and also works for Brady-Trakas as an architect.
The new director of special events is Christine Mariotti. Mariotti has previously served on the board of directors as vice-president and has taught courses in Chinese brush painting and other forms of textile art including painting on silk. Mariotti holds a degree in art education and has taught in community colleges and privately for most of her career. She is author of a book “The Art of Silk Painting,” part of the Walter Foster series of art books. She moved to Tryon in 2008 and became involved in the arts community.
The new director of fundraising and grant writing is Jacqueline Brown-Williams. Brown-Williams holds a B.A. in speech/drama, an MAT in humanities/education and a M.Ed. in guidance/counseling. She has served as a grants writer and project coordinator for KY education television, has served as executive director of a large privately funded public organization and had served several positions in academic institutions. Brown-Williams has lived in the area for 37 years and teaches part-time at Greenville Tech Charter High School.
In addition to the three new directors, TACS contracted with Bonnie Musselwhite in August to serve as bookkeeper.
Diana Jackson continues as a part-time administrator and Arlene Adams continues as a part-time administrative assistant. Jackson has served in this position since 2007. She and her son, TJ have lived in Tryon for six years. Adams joined TACS as a receptionist during our transition weeks and is now an administrative assistant. Adams has been a resident of Polk County for 14 years.
TACS mission is to provide instruction in regional arts and crafts to citizens of Polk County and upstate South Carolina. Current offerings can be found at TACS website, www.tryonartsandcrafts.com.
– article submitted by Jacqueline Brown-Williams