Hearth & Anvil

Open-Flame Dinner with John Wilson

March 22, 6-8:30pm

Board of Directors

Julie McIntyre, President

Julie McIntyre is a licensed architect, having worked in the field since 1978.  Julie has lived in Tryon since 2001 and works for the Brady-Trakas firm. She has been affiliated with Tryon Arts and Crafts since 2008. Prior to her current term, she served for three years on TACS’ Board of Directors, during which time she was Co-President for two years. In 2011, Julie was part-time Co-Director of the school from 2011 to 2014.

Karoline Shaffer O’Rourke, Vice President

Karoline Shaffer O’Rourke is a Greenville, SC, fused glass and ceramic artist. As traveling teaching artists, she and her husband John instruct at the Las Vegas Glass Craft & Bead Expo, Greenville County Museum of Art, Tryon Arts & Crafts School, and various other venues. Karoline is the owner of Kakilaki Studio Arts, which specializes in creative art events such as the “Art Bar” at Euphoria, an annual food, wine and music festival in Greenville, SC. Karoline is a designated artist of the South Carolina Arts Commission Approved Artist Roster (2001 to present), through which she has overseen site-specific public works and educational programming. She is Vice President of the St. Mary’s Council of Catholic Women, a Director of her Property Owner’s Association Board, and previously held a seat on the SC National Heritage Corridor Board in District 1.

 

Karoline first fell in love with TACS in 2011 as a workshop attendee. She brings to TACS’ Board a passion for artistic development for student and teacher, preservation of heritage crafts, fostering intercultural awareness, and community engagement.

Jamie Carpenter, Treasurer

Jamie Carpenter is the Downtown Manager for the City of Hendersonville, North Carolina. She served as Executive Director of the Tryon Downtown Development Association from 2015 to 2020. Prior to moving to Tryon, Jamie served as the Event and Operations Manager of the Asheville Downtown Association, and previously worked for HandMade in America. Jamie has a Masters degree in Public Affairs from Western Carolina University.

 

Leigh Nodine, Secretary

Leigh has had previous experience as an inspiring TACS Board Member. She was an exceptional volunteer coordinator. She earned a BFA from Winthrop University with a concentration in Interior Design and Ceramics and a Minor in Business Administration. She is currently a full time Real Estate Agent for Market Sold Realty and has worked as a Textile Designer at both Mohawk Flooring and White Oak Carpet. Her creative focus and passion has been for Pottery. She expressed excitement about being able to serve TACS once again on the BOD.

 

Cinda Austin

Cinda claims a kind of nomadic life starting being raised and educated in the Midwest. Although her college degree was in Psychology, she immersed herself in the retail world which took her to Atlanta, NYC, Dallas and Montreal. She moved to Tryon in 2008 and became involved in the agricultural movement in Polk County including Farmer’s Market, Farm to Table, Slow Food Movement and more. She is an active caregiver. Cinda states that she could bring her past experiences and belief in community to the TACS Board.

 

Lili Corbus

After working as a teacher of Art History at four universities, Lili retired as an Emerita Associate Professor (at UNC Charlotte) in 2006. While continuing to research and write in fields of art history, she also turned to real estate, often working with her husband (a General Contractor at the time who now teaches in the TACS woodworking studio) in the renovations of mostly historic homes. This cumulative background has brought her a wealth of experiences accenting discipline, organization, creativity and intellectual curiosity. Those experiences include: working in university and community committees toward common goals whether as a leader (Chair) or active (hands-on) member; twenty years of well-reviewed teaching of graduate and undergraduate students (both art majors and non-majors); writing and getting grants for her work and department; curating original exhibitions; as well as researching and publishing in art history with major publications. 

Lili’s specialty in the history of photography and past work as a photographer are particularly useful as TACS initiates a photo program. She continues to enjoy researching, writing, volunteering, helping her husband on their organic farm, and communing with family and friends.

Tari Gerst

Tari has lived in Tryon since 2016. She retired from Greenville Public Schools where she was a tutor in Special Education and engaged in a small catering business and retail management. Tari’s previous volunteer work has been in social services, including Guardian Ad Litem and mentoring. Her creative focus at TACS has been in Pottery. She is enthusiastic about promoting TACS and serving as a Board member to further TACS’ mission.

 

Lisa Grobowsky

Lisa Grobowsky enriched the lives of countless patients and developed life long relationships with her colleagues during her 23 year career as a dental hygienist. After initially practicing in FL, she and her husband moved their family to Tryon in 1997 where she continued her career until retiring in 2016. She has volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Outreach Food Pantry and supported many local and national charities.

Influenced heavily by her local artistic mother and sister, Lisa became aware of the areas strong and vibrant arts scene. She has witnessed TACS evolve from a middle school, which her children attended, to becoming a welcoming, well equipped, multi-disciplined craft school. She is a proud member of the school and believes that exploring creative expression contributes to self-fulfillment and joy.

Today she enjoys needle arts, clay and leatherwork along with reading, exercise, travel and especially time spent with her family.

 

Stephanie Justice

Stephanie Justice is a North Carolina native, having lived most of her life in Henderson County. She currently resides in Morgan Chapel Village with her three children. Stephanie studied music education with a concentration in vocal and piano studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After graduation, Stephanie moved back to Hendersonville and became a second-grade teacher at Clear Creek Elementary School. She has taught first and second grade, music/art, and has been an intervention specialist since her teaching debut in 2009.

Stephanie’s passions include research, travel, reading, community service, pottery, and performing/visual arts.

Lauren Roy

Lauren Roy is the Marketing Director for the Smith Phayer Upstate Community Hospice House in Landrum, SC. She hails from Savannah, GA and earned a BS degree from Georgia Southern University in English. Lauren has lived in Tryon since 2008 and has previously served on the board of the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce. She has been on the Tryon Downtown Development Beer Festival committee since 2014, as well.


Lauren’s work experience includes management, development, operational training, and sales.


A dog mom, Lauren spends her down time caring for her senior pups and enjoying time with her husband and friends.

Ruby Drew, Associate Director

Ruby Drew is a retired professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders from Western Carolina University. Her main area of interest for teaching and clinical supervision was in neurology for speech pathologists. In the academic setting she served at different times as Program Director, Clinic Director, Faculty Senator (earning an award for outstanding service), chair of Curriculum Development, various committees for development of vision and values, and guest speaker for professional and local events. In a volunteer capacity, Ruby has served as director of the Asheville Area Aphasia Treatment Group, executive board for the Asheville Choral Society, and volunteer for Steps to Hope.

 

After retiring with her husband Gerry in Mill Spring in 2007, Ruby sought out Tryon Arts and Crafts in order to develop a new skill. Here, she found particular satisfaction in the quality of teaching in weaving, bought her own loom, and grew her weaving curiosity into a weaving practice. She has since participated as a student in many disciplines at TACS.  Since 2009, Ruby has served multiple intermittent terms on TACS’ Board. She has worn many hats – President, Secretary, and Chair of the Operations Committee, to name only a few. Meanwhile, Gerry has been central to the development of the blacksmithing program, particularly as a renowned master bladesmith.

 

Otherwise, the Drews interests are kayaking, music, hiking beautiful Polk County, and social clubs. They have 3 married sons and 11 grandchildren who descend on the Drew’s Lake Adger home to swim, boat, and fish.

 

Jerry Pospisil, Associate Director

Jerry Pospisil developed a wide spectrum of knowledge and experience while working with the Disney organization from 1964 – 1995 in the areas of design, construction and operation of resorts, restaurants, theme parks and recreational facilities from California to Florida. In his last two years with the Disney Company, he was the General Manager and Director of Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Jerry established JBP Consulting in 1995. The company provides customized programs for individual and organizations that balance design and operational needs, and led Jerry to numerous international attractions. In 1996 and 1997, he became a partner in two construction companies, carrying Florida State class A, General Contractor Licenses. Jerry is President of – and actively involved in – the development of the Cataloochee Wilderness Resort, a 4,500-acre project located in Western North Carolina. Jerry studied at Mount San Antonio College and California State Polytechnic College, with a Major in Landscape Architecture. He also received continuing education at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and Disney Corporate sponsored development classes.

 

Jerry has been involved with Tryon Arts & Crafts School since the school was located in the Tryon Fine Arts Center with his father Barney having started TACS’ clay studio. Jerry previously served as TACS’ Treasurer for more than a decade and was instrumental in the acquisition and renovation of the current school building. As a volunteer, he has served in many capacities, such as glass instruction, artist demonstrations, Heritage Gallery grant committee, facility maintenance, and construction of both the Forge and Shane Urquhart Metals & Glass Studio. In January 2021, TACS acknowledged Jerry’s tremendous contribution to TACS in naming the “Volunteer of the Year” award after him. The award is now and in perpetuity the “Jerry B. Pospisil Award for Exceptional Service”.

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