Executive Director

Director@HaywoodArts.org

Tonya Harwood serves as Executive Director of the Haywood County Arts Council and has built her career around arts education, community connection, and supporting working artists.

Before stepping into arts leadership, Tonya spent ten years as a teaching artist and educator, working across a wide range of mediums including acrylics, watercolor, and mixed forms. Her experience in the classroom—and her curiosity across many artistic disciplines—continues to inform her approach to inclusive, accessible arts programming. Since 2020, her personal studio practice has focused on oil painting.

As Executive Director, Tonya works closely with artists, partners, and community stakeholders to strengthen the role of the arts throughout Haywood County and believes deeply in their importance to strong, resilient communities.

Outside of her work, Tonya is an outdoor enthusiast who draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the mountains. She lives in Clyde with her husband, three children, and two dogs.

Art & Gallery Manager

Artist@HaywoodArts.org

Lauren A. Medford is a working artist and a proud native of Waynesville, North Carolina. She holds an AAS degree in Advertising & Graphic Design from Southwestern Community College and an MFA 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."

Programs Manager

Info@HaywoodArts.org

Lindsay Keeling is an artist and entrepreneur who loves to encourage creativity. She studied Studio Art and Marketing at the University of TN and obtained her MBA at the University of West FL. Lindsay has a corporate background in leadership and project management and has served in volunteer roles for various arts organizations. She is excited to use her skills to make a positive impact in Haywood County. Lindsay exhibits her abstract landscape paintings at galleries and festivals across the southeast.

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."

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.

Treasurer

Jennifer joined the Haywood County Arts Council as an artist member in 2018. A contemporary painter, she is known for her whimsical dot-art style, which is featured in HCAC's gallery and gift shop.

Jennifer lives in rural Madison County with her husband, Shane, their four beloved cats, and a lively flock of ducks and chickens. Together, Jennifer and Shane own and operate two automotive repair shops in Asheville, which keeps them happily busy. In their free time, they enjoy playing golf and tennis and attending live music events.

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.

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. Jason is a mixed media artist, focusing on collage, mark-making, and experimentation. 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!

Programs & Events Committee Chair

Pamela moved to the mountains in 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 to 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 a 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.

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.

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.

Amie is the Social Media & Content Manager for Visit Haywood (Haywood County Tourism Development Authority) and serves on the HCAC Board, where she supports and advocates for Haywood County’s vibrant arts community. In her role at Visit Haywood, she regularly pitches and shares the spirit of the county’s five mountain towns with journalists and media outlets, helping spotlight local artists, makers, and cultural experiences. A graduate of Furman University, Amie moved to the area in 2020 and quickly developed a deep appreciation for its creative culture and natural beauty. She is also a Blue Ridge Rising Ambassador with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and was recently named a 30 Under 30 honoree by Destinations International for her work in tourism. Outside of work, Amie enjoys exploring the area with her husband and their English Lab, Alana, and runs her photography business, Main Street Photography, where she captures meaningful moments for her clients.

Lenora Hysom grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, and went to a Louisiana run boarding high school to study art. She has a BA from the University of Texas in Austin in History and English, and a Masters of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

Lenora is married to Dennis Hysom, a retired Army Chaplain, and they have three sons together; Bryce, Thomas, and Graham. During their years in the Army, the family moved many times, including twice for tours in Germany. Her time in Germany has been especially influential in her life through cultural experiences and exposure to European museums.

Lenora is a life long painter, and especially enjoys doing still life works in oil. She has sold her work in galleries and by commission. In more recent years, she has changed her medium to pottery, and is setting up her own studio at home. She works part time in downtown Waynesville at Twigs and Leaves Gallery, and hopes to have her work there once her studio is fully up and running. Her pottery influences are the southern folk artists of the Carolinas and Georgia, and she believes that pottery as a decorative but functional form of craft is one of the most direct ways that many southerners historically experienced art everyday.

Her family influences are strongly Appalachian. Her father is from Kentucky originally, and his mother was an artist, and his father was a furniture builder. The role of fine craft in Appalachia has always been stressed within her family, particularly through connections to Berea College, where her grandfather was a professor.

Kirby is a dedicated art educator with a decade of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University and a Master's degree from The Art of Education University. Beyond the classroom, Kirby is an active member of the arts community, serving on the board of the Haywood County Arts Council since 2025. When she's not teaching, you can find her at the pottery wheel, exploring local hiking trails, or enjoying time with friends and family

After two decades of providing concert production services in South Florida for prominent artists, including a decade-long contract with The Florida Philharmonic, Patrick discovered a newfound calling. In 2000, he found himself atop a mountain, surrounded by breathtaking views, lush greenery, a tranquil stream, and a renewed sense of purpose. WNC became his new home. At the age of 45, after pursuing a Fine Arts Degree at Western Carolina University, Patrick discovered a passion for oils and embarked on an amateur painter’s journey. However, financial responsibilities persisted, prompting him to leverage his electrical and construction expertise gained from his experiences in the music industry. Consequently, he established Adamas Construction. As retirement approached, the music within was once again calling. In 2020, Adamas Entertainment was officially reconstituted with the mission of supporting emerging musical artists throughout the local area. Since then, Adamas Entertainment has successfully hosted numerous events. In response to Hurricane Helene, in 2024, Adamas Entertainment collaborated with a group of close friends to establish Rock for Relief. Appointed Chairman of the Board, the organization embarked on a fundraising campaign through musical events to provide aid to those affected by the storm. This initiative continues to this day.

Tom Bastek is a Waynesville-based producer, writer, and technical director with a lifelong passion for the performing arts. In his current role as Technical Director at HART Theatre, Tom manages the intersection of artistry and logistics—a skill set he developed over three decades working with major global brands like Google and Samsung. He brings a high-impact marketing background to the board, having built and scaled loyalty programs with companies like The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Tom’s unique "360-degree" view of the arts—spanning from technical design and film production to on-stage performance and voice acting—allows him to bridge the gap between creative vision and operational excellence. On the HCAC Board, Tom hopes to focus on expanding support for the performing arts sector and utilizing data-driven marketing strategies to increase community engagement and visibility for Haywood County’s rich cultural offerings.