Will Barclift, Executive Director

Will is originally from Birmingham, Alabama. He joined Tryon Arts & Crafts School in 2018. Prior to TACS, Will was Director of both Education and Community Outreach at The Bascom art center, Highlands, North Carolina, starting in 2012. Before moving to Western North Carolina, Will lived in Portland, Oregon and the San Francisco Bay Area, California. He was Co-Director of the Diego Rivera Gallery and Admissions Recruiter at San Francisco Art Institute. His early career consisted of roles such 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 supported nationwide science and mathematics educational media. Will’s studio practice includes painting, digital photography, music, sound and video installation, and ceramics.

Will is passionate about community. He currently serves on the Tryon International Film Festival’s Board of Directors and Tryon Downtown Development Association’s design and public art committee. He has served as Juror 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. Will previously served on committees for NCAC’s Macon County Steering Committee and Appalachian Art Farm.

Will has a Master of Arts in Teaching Comprehensive Education (Visual Arts) from Western Carolina University, where he was awarded the 2014 Outstanding Prospective Teacher award. He has a Master of Fine Arts in New Genres and Post-Baccalaureate in Painting from San Francisco Art Institute. He received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Studio Art (Painting) and Music Composition from Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon.

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