Staff
Tonya Harwood, Executive Director
Tonya D. Harwood has been an active part of the arts in beautiful WNC for over 20 years. After
getting a BA in art from the University of Delaware, she has worked as a teaching artist and
shared her love for art with students of all ages. For most of the past ten years, she has been an
educator with Roots + Wings School of Art and Design, doing both educational and
administrative roles, and seeing first hand how art and community go together. She became an
artist member at HCAC over two years ago and has really enjoyed not only showing her oil
paintings in the gallery, but volunteering and being a part of the wonderful arts community in
Haywood County. Tonya's passion for the arts has led her to assume the role of Executive
Director at the Haywood County Arts Council, where she has thrived in creating meaningful
connections with individuals, businesses, and organizations in our area.
Email:
director@haywoodarts.org
Lauren A. Medford, Art & Gallery Manager
Lauren A. Medford is a working artist and a proud native of Waynesville, North Carolina. She holds an A.A.S. degree in Advertising & Graphic Design from Southwestern Community College and a M.F.A. from Western Carolina University. Lauren has been at HCAC since November 2020. "My mediums of choice are printmaking, collage, and fibrous sculpture. I work in themes of camp, fandom, fashion, and Diva sensibilities."
Email:
artist@haywoodarts.org
Hannah Kyzer, Spring Intern
Hannah Kyzer is a student studying Graphic Design at Western Carolina University from Charlotte, NC. Her love for art is what led her to WNC. She holds an interest in illustration and looks forward to learning more about it within her studies. Her mediums of choice are print and digital media.
Danna Kelly Bohnhoff, Volunteer Quilt Trails Studio Coordinator
Danna Kelly Bohnhoff's roots trace back to Canton, North Carolina, a locale where her family has resided for generations. It is in this close-knit community where she spent her formative years, surrounded by the rich history of my lineage. Upon successfully completing her Bachelor's degree in Animal Science at NC State University, she embarked on a journey that took her through various states, exposing me to diverse professional opportunities and experiences. Over a remarkable span of 30 years, she dedicated her service as a city letter carrier for the esteemed United States Postal Service, applying my skills and unwavering commitment to the role. With the culmination of her tenure, she fulfilled a long-standing aspiration and returned to my hometown. Artistic expression has been a constant and cherished aspect of her life. Throughout the years, painting and calligraphy have emerged as her primary focus, nurturing a passion that has evolved into a beloved hobby. She states "I am thrilled to be an essential contributor to the Haywood County Arts Council, actively involved in the creation of captivating barn quilt blocks that embellish our county. These quilt blocks, each boasting intricate designs, weave a captivating trail for all to appreciate the unparalleled beauty of Haywood County."
Board of Directors
The Haywood County Arts Council Board of Directors is made up of a group of passionate volunteers, dedicated to serving the artists in our community. Board members are elected to three-year terms, and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms during their tenure. Board meetings take place on the third Thursday of each month. If you are interested in serving as a member of the HCAC Board of Directors, please
Email: director@haywoodarts.org
Alison Parks, President
Alison, an artist member and active docent volunteer who chairs the volunteer committee, joined the HCAC Board in June 2021. Alison joined the HCAC because she loves art, grew up in a family of artists, and wanted to be an active member of the art community. As a board member, Alison brings organization, finance, and communication skills to HCAC. Her passion is quilting, and she also likes to exercise, enjoy nature, and spend time with family and friends.
Cup Harrison, Vice President
Originally from Louisiana, Cup owned and operated a company focused on technical recruiting in the metals industry. Cup and Harry bought their retirement home in Iron Duff in 2020. During her life, she has always been drawn to the arts of every type. They have collected pieces during their travels domestically and internationally from fiber arts, pottery, jewelry, painting and woodworking. Collecting art feels as though they share a small bit of the creative spirit of the artists. Retiring to Waynesville proved to be a lovely surprise because they knew they would have stunning vistas and four real seasons, but for Cup, to discover the art scene to be so active and full of exceptional talent was a lagniappe experience. It is her hope that her past experiences can be used to help further HCAC’s goals and objectives.
John Forrester, Treasurer
John and his wife Leigh moved to Waynesville in 2015 and have been involved with the Arts Council ever since. When Leigh was executive director, John was an active volunteer, helping with analysis and, importantly, bartending for Art After Dark. Professionally, John is a management consultant and executive coach, holding degrees from UNC and Harvard University. In Jacksonville, FL, prior to 2015, John founded Bright Holidays, an all-volunteer nonprofit providing food, clothing and other necessities to thousands of underprivileged children in the greater Jacksonville area. While he says he lacks artistic ability, he enjoys photography and is enthusiastic about the Arts Council and all forms of art. He also enjoys hiking — having hiked the entire 96 miles of Scotland’s West Highland Way — and golf.
Kathy DeOrnellas, Secretary
Kathy DeOrnellas and her husband moved to Waynesville in the spring of 2021 after retiring and selling their sheep/alpaca farm in Texas. She previously worked as a private practice psychologist and as a professor in the Psychology department at Texas Woman’s University; however, her first love was art - weaving and knitting primarily - and she has returned to the fiber arts since opening a studio in Waynesville. She enjoys working with the HCAC gallery and painting quilt blocks.
Jason Pierson, Gallery Committee Chair
Jason, an HCAC artist member and gallery docent volunteer, joined the Board in 2024. Originally from the midwest, Jason moved to WNC in 2004 after receiving his MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and he now lives with husband Ian in the beautiful town of Canton. A gallery artist with the Cold Mountain Art Collective, Jason is a textile artist focussing on natural dyes, quilting, and slow stitching. Jason brings to the Board his enthusiasm for promoting the arts and culture of Haywood County; a strong background in organizational management; and a belief that everyone is creative!
Pamela Winn, Program & Events Committee Chair
Pamela moved to the mountains, late 2020, trading the heat, humidity and hurricanes of Florida for the North Carolina Mountains. While working as a Commercial Insurance Broker, her art took a back seat. She began painting in oils at a young age, switching to watercolor, and in 2006, took a silk dyeing class and never looked back. Now she is able spend all of her time creating her passion. She has been a member of HCAC since 3/2021, participating in the 2021 Studio Tour and was accepted as Retail Artist in the Art Gallery 1/2022. She volunteers in the Art Gallery to help promote the wonderful artists in WNC. She is very pleased to be on the Board of HCAC, she has experience with other non profit organizations and would like to help HCAC with their impact in the future.
Barbara Brook
Barbara is an artist and instructor and has shared her passion in the arts for over 50 plus years. She has been an active participant in many of the HCAC gallery shows and feels strongly about promoting the arts in Waynesville. Not only an artist member, Barbara also acts as Vice President where she lends her organization and computer skills. Barbara has a passion for painting, gardening, and traveling.
Emily Reason
Emily is an HCAC artist member and joined the Board in June 2021. She runs the Professional Crafts Clay program at Haywood Community College. Emily is passionate about arts education. Emily brings not only an in-depth knowledge of the art discipline to the HCAC Board but also expertise in art related business management. She enjoys working in her home studio and taking hikes with her family.
Lisa Townsend
Lisa and her husband moved to Waynesville in 2017 and have been making stained glass windows since 2008. Their work is whimsical and the selection of glass with its many textures and colors adds that special MoJo to any home. Lisa enjoys volunteering on the HCAC Gallery Committee and assisting with the installation of the monthly exhibits. Lisa balances her love of creating art with her love of digging in the dirt. She volunteers at the Maggie Valley Community Garden and can be found in her home flower gardens on warm sunny days. Lisa and her husband enjoy hiking and kayaking in western North Carolina.
Sarah Cortvriend
Sarah, a gallery and quilt block volunteer, has a degree in art history from the University of South Florida, and a law degree from the University of Florida College of Law. Sarah has had strong ties to the Waynesville area for over 20 years, and became a full-time resident in 2023 after she retired. Sarah has always maintained an interest in the arts, and joined the Board in 2024 so she could further her desire to support and promote the thriving local arts community. She also enjoys hiking, knitting and crocheting, cooking, gardening, and national and international travel.
Tiffani Watts
Tiffani Watts is the manager of Twigs & Leaves Gallery, just a couple of doors down from HCAC on Main Street. She lives high on a mountain in Maggie Valley with her husband Kyle and dog, Corby Barks. Originally from LaPorte, Indiana, Tiffani arrived in Haywood County in September 2016 after graduating from Columbia University. Before college, Tiffani served 9 years in the Marine Corps. Upon moving to the Smoky Mountains, Tiffani picked up a quilting habit and enjoys the challenge of working from scraps. She loves interior design, working with local artists, and learning about them and their processes.