Our History
1963
A group of friends and acquaintances gathered around a kitchen table to discuss their love of crafts. From that first conversation came Piedmont Craftsmen – a guild of crafts artists and crafts collectors whose devotion to the handmade object and ties to the heritage of craft work in the region have spanned several generations. At its beginning, Piedmont Craftsmen created the guidelines for a juried exhibiting membership, educated the public to fine crafts and offered an annual crafts fair to meet the mission of promoting and selling members’ works. The guild has expanded its mission, over its 50+ year history.
1987
In 1987, Piedmont Craftsmen was accepted as a Funded Partner of the Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. This was a great honor and provided much needed operational support for the organization.
The Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County is the first Arts Council in the US. Their model has been used by many other arts organizations nationally.
2013
Piedmont Craftsmen celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2013. This was a major milestone for the organization and for the founding members who were able to join us. The year-long celebration included an Anniversary Gala, unexpected pop-up art shows, an fine craft auction and was commemorated with a commissioned art piece and a ribbon cutting by founding members, Tom Suomalainen, Wylie Yarbourgh and Mary Goslin, at the Craftsmen’s Fair in November.
2020-2021
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Piedmont Craftsmen Gallery closed for an extended period, and the in-person Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair was canceled and reimagined as a virtual event. Board and Committee meetings moved fully online as the organization adapted to unprecedented challenges. In 2021, the Gallery reopened most days, and the Fair returned as an in-person event with a reduced number of artists, marking a careful but determined step forward and reflecting the resilience of the organization and its community.
2023-2024
Piedmont Craftsmen Celebrated 60 years of Fine Craft with a special two part exhibition to showcase artist members from our founding in 1963 to 2024, and events throughout the year to celebrate.
Staff
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B. Jane Doub
ContactPresident & CEO
President and CEO since 2005. Exhibiting Member in Fiber since 1992. BCA UNC-Charlotte, working fiber artist since 1980 specializing in handwoven garments; Fiber Program Coordinator for Sawtooth School 1982 – 2004; and co-owner of Fiber Co. since 1987. Has served on a variety of non-profit and community service boards and committees. Currently serving on the Public Art Commission. Winston-Salem’s 2006 Artist of the Year. -
Chris Asuncion-Haynes
ContactGallery Director
Gallery Director since 2010. BS in Journalism, Emerson College, Boston MA; Apria Healthcare Customer Service Specialist 2008-2010; United Healthcare Customer Care Professional 2006-2008; Barnes and Noble, Department Manager 2002-2006. Long time Piedmont Craftsmen Volunteer assisting with audience development, Young Collectors, Fair, and Shop before joining our staff. -
Jasmine Huff
ContactCrafts Fair and Membership Director
Jasmine is an artist with deep ties to the local creative community. She grew up exhibiting art with her parents, James and Earnestine Huff, in their art business Huff Art Studio. She holds an MFA in Documentary Media from Northwestern University and believes in the power of art and storytelling to transform our communities. She recently managed programs and events for the National Guild for Community Arts Education and is thrilled to bring her experience to our organization. -
Gretchen Siebert
ContactOperations Director
Piedmont Craftsmen Operations since 2017. Bachelor of Fine Arts, Sculpture, Indiana University South Bend, South Bend, IN; Instructor, Sawtooth School for Visual Art, 2017 – present; Part-time Assistant, The New Winston Museum, 2016 – 2017; Visitor Services Specialist, Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2014 – 2017; Freelance Artist Assistant since 2008. -
Sarah Harvell
ContactEcommerce Specialist
E-Commerce Specialist since 2021. Owner and artist behind Ravena Metalworks. BFA in Metalsmithing, RU, Radford, VA; MFA in Metal Design, ECU, Greenville, NC. Originally from Floyd, Virginia and currently resides in Greensboro, NC. Love for all things art, nature, books, and birds. Argentium Silver Guild Member and Exhibiting Artist with Piedmont Craftsmen since 2026 in Metal. -
David Wiinikka-Lydon
ContactAssistant Gallery Director
David Wiinikka-Lydon joined the Gallery and Ecommerce staff in 2021. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Maryland Institute College of Art. His background includes extensive customer service experience, graphic design and Freelance Digital services. Exhibiting Artist with Piedmont Craftsmen since 2025 in Mixed-Media and Works on Paper. -
Kathryn Gauldin
ContactEducation Coordinator
Kathi studied art at UNCG, WCU, Haywood Production Crafts Program, Duke Non-Profit Management and hold a BA in art from High Point College (University). She has extensive educational experience working with the community and in the schools. She is a professional artist who works primarily in textiles and shows her work in galleries and at local festivals. -
Elese Gilstrap
ContactGallery Assistant
Elese joined the Gallery staff in April 2023. She worked at the University of Georgia before moving to Winston-Salem. -
Sonja Broome
ContactGallery Assistant
Sonja Broome has been with Piedmont Craftsmen since 2015. She worked professionally in another field until she retired when her love of shopping and jewelry started her on a path to working in the Gallery.
Board Members
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Marjorie Benbow
Board Chair
Supporting Member. Farms flowers & bees, practices law (intellectual property, not-for profit, and alcohol law) and focuses on glass art. Her consulting spans various industries, including arts and entertainment. Former Executive Director, NC Biotechnology Center. Other Boards – NC Zoo Council, NC Motorsports Association, NC School of Science and Math, Cabarrus Visual Arts, Paul Harris +5. BS in Zoology and MS in Public Health, UNC Chapel Hill JD and MBA, Wake Forest, Army War College.
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Allie Pisarro-Grant
1st Vice Chair
Supporting Member. Owner; Designer and Developer, Alcove Studio, 2021 – present. Specializing in e-commerce strategy, brand messaging, social media strategy and design. Retail owner, Alcove, NY, NY 2018 – 2021; a home goods boutique specializing in artisan-crafted accessories. -
Robin K. Morris
2nd Vice Chair
Supporting Member. Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology and Linguistics Program, USC. Robin has been committed to improving access and opportunity to under-represented populations as she co-authored and directed a summer research program for minority undergraduate students. Her second passion was the power of cross disciplinary interactions in education. She is intrigued by the creative parallels between artistic endeavor and basic scientific research. -
O’Neal Jones
Immediate Past Chair
Exhibiting Member in Wood since 2012. Professional custom furniture and cabinetry maker since 1979. BA, NC State University. Has work experience and specialized in architectural millwork, cabinetry, and custom home building since 1972. Served as President, Vice President and general Board Member of Carolina Designer Craftsmen. -
Dinny Forbes
Treasurer
Dinny Forbes, Winston-Salem, NC. Supporting Member. Owner & President, AdminConsulting, semi-retired since 2014. Previously through her business, Dinny worked with numerous non-profits, assisting with project coordination, contract administrative and operational services. She served on Piedmont Craftsmen’s Board when the Trade Street location was purchased and rehabbed and has volunteered numerous Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fairs over the years. For the last 5+ years, Dinny has been involved with The Little Theater of Winston-Salem, both sewing in the costume shop and designing costumes. She has also worked with Leadership Winston-Salem as both Program Coordinator, from April 2006 – June 2011, and Administrative & Marketing Coordinator, from July 2011 – May 2014. -
Kim Thore
Secretary
Supporting Member. Artist and Marketing, Public Relations and Communications Executive; Former Chief Marketing Officer, United Way of Forsyth County; Marketing, Story and Communications Strategist, Piedmont Advantage Credit Union ; Director of Marketing, Greensboro College, Marketing Manager, Wake Forest University, Owner- FRESH Productions and Marketing, BA, UNC Chapel Hill; MLA, UNC Greensboro; additional studies: Masters Studies, UNC-G; Fine Arts Studies, St. Andrews University; British Standards Institutions Certified Auditor, Southern Polytechnic University. -
Marvette Aldrich
Board Member
Marvette Aldrich, Winston-Salem, NC. Supporting Member. Adjunct Professor at North Carolina A&T State University. Former Assistant Professor of art at Winston-Salem State University. Retired from Guilford County School as a Media Specialist. Currently serves on Boards of National Alliance of Artists from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and The African American Atelier in Greensboro, and as a past Board member of Associated Artists of Winston-Salem. MFA in Studio Art, UNC-Greensboro, BA in Art Education and MA in Educational Media from NC Central University. Served on the Board and Education Committee 2011-2013.
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John Cain
Board Member
Supporting Member. Retired. BB&T Wealth Lending 2015-2019, BB&T Area Executive 2003-2015, First Virginia Bank Commercial Relationship Manager 1979-2003. Serves on several boards from diverse organizations including Harford Day School, Home Partnership Foundation, The Lawdew Topiary Gardens, and UM Upper Chesapeake Health from 2009-2015. -
Allison Daniel
Board Member
From Winston-Salem, NC. Exhibiting Member in Clay since 2024. Studio potter and owner of Allison Daniel Pottery. Center for Visual Arts, Greensboro, NC, Instructor and Exhibiting Artist, 2015 – 2021; Visual Poetry Walk organizer, Greensboro, NC 2016; Greensboro Mural Project, Artist, 2017; Starworks, employee and Exhibiting Artist, 2018 – 2021; Northern Moore Family Resource Center, Instructor, 2022-2023; Seagrove Area Potter’s Association, Artist, 2022 – 2023. -
Neal Howard
Board Member
Neal Howard, Waynesville, NC. Exhibiting Member in Fiber since 1990. Owner, Neal The Weaver & Henceforth Yarns for more than 30 years. Neal is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. Her work is exhibited at fine craft venues in the southeastern United States. She also teaches at John C. Campbell Folk School and other regional arts organizations. Neal holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Sociology and Psychology from Guilford College, an Associates Degree in Professional Crafts/Fiber from Haywood Community College, and a Certificate in Theology from the School of Theology, the University of the South. -
Sunsuk Lee
Board Member
Certified Public Accountant, Commercial Real Estate Manager and ceramic student at Sawtooth School. Former Senior Auditor, Ernst & Young and Auditor, Price Waterhouse Coopers. MBA, International Marketing, Northern Kentucky University; BA, Language and Literature, Seoul Women’s University. -
Tanner Messer
Board Member
Supporting Member. Advancement Associate – Special Events, SECCA. Freelance Photographer. Has worked with many non-profits in the arts. BFA, UNC-Greensboro, Photography and recent graduate of Leadership Winston-Salem. -
Karen E. Mugele
Board Member
Karen E. Mugele, Winston-Salem, NC. Supporting Member. Attorney, Koontz Law, PLLC in Mocksville, NC. JD, Wake Forest University School of Law, Doctor of Law, JD, Law, 2022; Dickenson College, Bachelor of Arts Degree, International Business and Management. Karen is an enthusiastic advocate for the arts and local nonprofits. She grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and trained in ballet and modern dance with the Triangle Youth Ballet, where she remains an active alumna and supporter. She is member of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity at Wake Forrest, and currently serves as their Operations Advisor, and previously as the Advisory Board Chairman. She has long supported Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem (GAL), became a certified GAL while working on her law degree from WFU, and continues to represent children in the foster care system. -
Susan Thornton
Board Member
Susan Thornton, Lebanon, TN. Exhibiting Member, Metal since 2025. Owner, Thornton Metals Studio. BFA, Metals and Jewlery and B.S. Textiles Merchandising and Design, Tennessee Technological University; A.A, Fine Arts, Cumberland University; Graduate study in Retailing, Merchandising and Design, Business Management, University of Tennessee. A member of Southern Highland Craft Guild, Tennessee Craft, Tennesse Artist’s Guild, Foothills Craft Guild, Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of American and others. Numerous awards and has served on various Boards. -
Kelsey Merreck Wagner
Board Member
Kelsey Merreck Wagner, Winston-Salem, NC. Supporting Member. Fiber artist, educator, curator, and anthropologist. She defines herself as an eco-artivist (art + activism). She lives and works between the United States and Thailand. She completed her B.A. (Studio Arts; focus: printmaking) at Western Michigan University, her M.A. (Cultural Studies & Sustainability; focus: community-engaged arts) at Appalachian State University, and received her Ph.D. at Michigan State University (Anthropology; focus: environmental activism and art in Thailand). Her work has been exhibited in art galleries, museums, and institutions: internationally in Cambodia, Thailand, Canada, Malaysia and Italy; as well as across the United States including Illinois, Texas, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, and Michigan. She is a committee member of the Blue Ridge Fiber Arts (North Carolina), and a founding member of the Arts Worms-Mekong Artist Collective (Thailand).
