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Tryon Arts and Crafts School recently held its 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting email process between January 25 and 31. The meeting’s primary purposes were to hold elections for the 2022 Board of Directors and to share the detailed 2021 Annual Report.

 

With election votes tallied, TACS welcomes new members to the Board of Directors, Stephanie Justice and Lauren Roy. Both Stephanie and Lauren received unanimous affirmative votes by TACS’ participating members.

 

TACS’ 2021 Annual Report showed not only significant indicators of recovery but also record revenue in many key areas of service. Treasurer Jamie Carpenter stated, “2021 was a positive turning point for Tryon Arts & Crafts School’s finances thanks to tremendous community support and growing programs…Thanks to support from the Polk County Community Foundation, generous donors, countless volunteer hours, and COVID-19 Relief, TACS has operated without a deficit for two years. This is great news!”

 

Highlights from 2021 at TACS include: exhibition of TACS-affiliated Polk County artists in the Main Gallery at the Folk Art Center in Asheville; Grand Opening of the Shane Urquhart Metals & Glass Studio with new offerings in copper textured bronze, welding, and glass beadmaking; Art of the Flame BBQ Field Day with 1,000 guests, 60 volunteers, and tremendous showing of support from area businesses and the Town of Tryon; volunteer-led renovations to the Wood and Clay Studios; landscaping and outdoor entertainment upgrades partially funded by Polk County Appearance Commission; successful second Fall Online Auction, sponsored by New View Realty, and supported by 80 artists and businesses; equipment and seed funding for a new digital photography department with forthcoming exhibitions and studio education; and the announcement of the 2021 Jerry B. Pospisil Award for Exceptional Service, a joint title given to volunteers Vern Davis and Madison Geer.

 

Executive Director Will Barclift said goodbyes to valued outgoing team members. President Ruby Drew and Vice President Judith Webb were recognized for their past Board service and their return to the Board in 2020. Both were thanked for their central roles in providing leadership at the onset of the pandemic and rebuilding from mid-2020 to the present. Holly Smith, TACS Marketing & Programs Coordinator, was recognized for her hard work and wished well as she relocates outside of the region.

 

A copy of TACS 2021 Annual Report is available at https://tryonartsandcrafts.org.

 

Tryon Arts and Crafts School is a non-profit organization that exists to provide creative opportunities for everyone through education, instruction and expression of heritage and contemporary arts and crafts in a friendly, stimulating and enriching environment. For more information about the School, please contact the office at (828) 859.8323 or visit our website, www.TryonArtsandCrafts.org. 

Submitted by Will Barclift