Will Barclift, Executive Director

Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, Will joined Tryon Arts & Crafts School in 2018. Prior to his time at TACS, he served as Directors of Education and Community Outreach at The Bascom art center in Highlands, North Carolina, starting in 2012.

Before settling in Western North Carolina, Will lived in Portland, Oregon, and the San Francisco Bay Area, California. He held the positions of Co-Director at the Diego Rivera Gallery and Admissions Recruiter at the San Francisco Art Institute. Earlier in his career, he worked as Education Coordinator at ArtSeed (SF), Art Advisor at Linearis Institute (SF, LA, Napa), and Preparator at John Berggruen Gallery (SF). As Administrator and Production Assistant at Red Hill Studios (Larkspur, CA), Will contributed to nationwide science and mathematics educational media. His artistic pursuits encompass painting, digital photography, music, sound and video installation, and ceramics.

Will’s passion for community is evident in his active involvement. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Tryon International Film Festival’s Board of Directors, member of the Tryon Downtown Development Association’s design committee, and member of the Town of Tryon’s event review committee. He has also served as a judge for the North Carolina Arts Council’s (NCAC) Artist Support Grants, Hendersonville’s Art on Main festival, and Tryon Fine Arts Center’s Showcase of Excellence student exhibit. Additionally, Will has contributed to NCAC’s Macon County Steering Committee and Appalachian Art Farm.

Will holds a Master of Arts in Teaching Comprehensive Education (Visual Arts) from Western Carolina University, where he was honored with the 2014 Outstanding Prospective Teacher award. He also earned a Master of Fine Arts in New Genres and a Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute. His academic journey began with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Studio Art (Painting) and Music Composition from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon.

Reach Will at (828) 859-8323, director@tryonartsandcrafts.org.