• Title: Executive Director
• Phone: (828) 787-2881
• Email: blove@thebascom.org

Billy Love is the Executive Director at The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts (Highlands, NC). An arts educator, and non-profit leader Billy has more than 20 years of experience working at the intersection of communities, people, and learning. His expertise spans organizational leadership, program development, fundraising, and strategic partnerships, ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of The Bascom. His roles encompass curatorial, educational, and outreach initiatives, allowing the organization to offer robust visual arts programs that support emerging artists and foster essential creative and visual literacy skills for youth and adults. With a leadership approach centered on innovation, community engagement, and operational excellence, Billy is dedicated to expanding The Bascom’s impact and strengthening the creative economy of Western North Carolina. He holds a Bachelor’s in Studio Art from Furman University (Greenville, SC) and a Master’s in Art Education from Western Carolina University.  

• Title: Director of Finance & Administration
• Phone: (828) 787-2885
• Email: halligood@thebascom.org

Holly Alligood is a dynamic professional, currently serving as the Director of Finance and Administration at The Bascom. Holly brings with her over 10 years of experience as an accountant, having honed her financial expertise in various organizations before joining The Bascom.  As a parent of two, she values the importance of fostering creativity and artistic expression in the community. She believes that art has the power to inspire, educate, and transform lives, and she works tirelessly to ensure that The Bascom remains a vibrant and inclusive hub for artists and art enthusiasts. With her extensive experience, passion for the arts, and commitment to community service, Holly Alligood is dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact through her role at The Bascom.

• Title: Director of Marketing and Communications
• Phone: (828) 787-2866
• Email: bmitchell@thebascom.org

Bianca Mitchell is the Director of Marketing and Communications at The Bascom:  A Center for the Visual Arts (Highlands, NC).  Bianca has over 15 years of experience in marketing, design, and database management. A visual storyteller, Bianca brings life to The Bascom’s brand through impactful and contemporary communications strategies.

Bianca is herself a practicing artist, who works in two-dimensional and digital formats. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Brevard College, summa cum laude.

• Title: Director of Development
• Phone: 828.787.2879
• Email: jraynor@thebascom.org

• Title: Director of Exhibitions
• Phone: (828) 787-2878
• Email: zrogers@thebascom.org

Born and raised in Laurinburg, NC, Zachary is an artist with a knack for creative problem solving. After earning his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Metal Design from East Carolina University in 2013, he stuck around Greenville, NC for a couple of years working in a few of the art galleries and as a studio tech at Pitt Community College.

Zachary moved to the North Carolina mountains to attend Western Carolina University and received his Masters of Fine Arts in Sculpture from Western Carolina University in 2018. Zachary has instructed art history lecture classes, 3-D design studios, and Sculpture courses. While in graduate school he began to incorporate his interest in archaeology and museum studies in his sculptures and wrote his thesis on shifting museum dynamics and their relationship with the viewer.

Since starting at The Bascom as the Exhibition Manager in May 2018, Zachary is able to continue utilizing his skills to create on both sides of the gallery wall and remain engaged in the artistic community.

• Title: Director of Ceramics
• Phone: (828) 787-2892
• Email: fvickery@thebascom.org

Photo Credit: Chelsea Cronkrite

• Title: Community Engagement Manager
• Phone: (828) 787-2864
• Email: pgalloway@thebascom.org

Priscilla was born and raised in Yamhill Valley of Western Oregon.  There she developed a deep appreciation for community and creativity.  After graduating high school, Priscilla and her family relocated to Western North Carolina; where she fell in love with the mountains.

Priscilla received her Associate degree in Fine Art from Blue Ridge Community College, and her Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with a minor in Entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University, reflecting her creative spirit and business mindset. Priscilla is passionate about serving members and guests of The Bascom, where she brings her kind spirit and dedication to creating memorable experiences. She cherishes her life with her husband and cats in Franklin, where she continues to create 2D and textile arts.

• Title: Retail Manager
• Phone: 828.787.2865
• Email: jlammers@thebascom.org

As the Retail Manager, Jessica brings her background in sales, visual merchandising, and interior design to The Bascom.  Jessica’s work experience began as a teenager in her family's retail shop and art gallery. As she graduated college, Jessica went on to work in residential and light commercial design.  Later, she merged her background experiences into a visual merchandising career. 

Jessica graduated with an AFA from Young Harris College and with a BFA from Georgia State University in Interior Design.  She loves representing the many talented artists in the retail space and serving The Bascom’s mission in the beautiful Highlands community. 

• Title: Facilities Manager
• Phone: (828) 787-2884
• Email: mminus@thebascom.org

Madison Minus, a Highlands native, has lived an adventurous life that has taken him across the globe. With a passion for exploration, he has called Vietnam, Thailand, and Australia home, where he taught scuba diving. His journey also took him to Colorado, where he embraced the slopes as a snowboarding enthusiast. For three years, he worked as a commercial diver in Florida, honing his skills underwater. Back on land, Madison brings his expertise in carpentry, custom woodworking, and woodturning to life, blending creativity with craftsmanship in every project he undertakes.

His journey with The Bascom began in 2021 when he started selling his turned creations in the gift shop. His work gained further recognition when he was selected as a featured artist in 2023. He is thrilled to utilize the knowledge he has gained over the years while serving as the Facilities Manager for The Bascom.

• Title: Development and Office Administrator
• Phone: 828.526.4949
• Email: hbleckley@thebascom.org

Haley Bleckley is currently serving as the Development and Office Administrator at the Bascom. With has over 10 years of experience in office administration, Haley is eager to bring her skills to the Bascom. She graduated from Piedmont College in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. She has two beautiful daughters with her husband and currently resides in Rabun County, GA. As a family, they love spending time together outdoors and exploring all of the wonderful opportunities the area offers.

• Title: Ceramics Artist-Educator
• Phone: 828-787-2892
• Email: elipscomb@thebascom.org

Ester Lipscomb has been making and teaching pottery  for over 20 years. She loves creating space for people to connect with their inner creative spirit and experience the joy that comes from making things with their hands. She holds a degree in Art Education from the University of North Georgia and has taught in a wide variety of settings, including public school, private workshops and community studios. Many know her from her time as a resident potter at Mark of the Potter and the pottery scavenger hunts she holds throughout the year. Ester lives in Rabun county with her husband and two children.  

• Title: Community Engagement Associate
• Phone: (828) 526.4949
• Email: craming@thebascom.org

Caryn Raming is the Community Engagement Associate at The Bascom.  She is an NC certified art teacher and has nearly four decades of personal art education and teaching experience combined.  She is an accomplished studio artist in a wide variety of mediums from graphite to gold with her most recent creations being done in stained glass.  She also has a love for the performing arts and has often been found on stage, BEFORE the curtains open, designing, constructing, and painting sets for community, local school, and university level musical theater productions.  She describes herself as an outgoing people- person and loves meeting and sharing her passion for art with new people of all ages. 

Caryn lives in Tuckasegee with her husband and raised three amazing and talented children, one whose work has even been shown in The Bascom gallery. She boasts two precious grandbabies and finds joy and inspiration in all things beautiful.  She hopes to use her talents and gifts to further The Bascom’s efforts and to help spread the joy and beauty of art to our WNC communities.

(BA-Studio Art, Minor Interior Design; BFA- Art ED; BSED- Art Education; NC Teaching License- K-12 Art; Certificate City and Guild of London- Decorative Painting)