• 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: 828.787.2879
• 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)