CONTEMPORARY COSMOPOLITAN CULTURED
The Board of Directors and Staff
President
Patti Trobaugh
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By profession, Patti is an interior designer who studied at the University of Memphis. She is semi-retired but spends much of her time advancing Upstairs Artspace. She and her husband Tom relocated from Hilton Head, S.C. to Tryon in 2017.
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843-290-4402
Vice President
Alexia Timberlake-Boyd
Alexia is the collections manager at Greenville County Museum of Art (Greenville, S.C.). She is also a producing artist. Her master's degree in fine art is from Clemson University. She and her husband live in Saluda. Alexia joined the board in 2016.
864-313-5420
Treasurer
Sarah Schroth, Ph.D.
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Sarah brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Upstairs Artspace. She was the director of Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University and has more than 20 years of experience with emphasis in development and communications. Sarah joined the board in 2022.
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919-360-4851
Secretary
Cathey Stoney
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Cathey is a native of North Carolina and she lives in Saluda. She is a retired art teacher who has now devoted her life to her art. A supporter of Upstairs Artspace for many years, she joined the board in 2018 and has served as board secretary and interim president.
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828-606-8294
Board Director
Eldred Hudson
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Eldred is a professor emeritus, BFA, MFA, retired from UNC Charlotte. He has served as department chair of Art and Art History, and as graphic design coordinator. Through the years he has maintained practice in art/design. He and his life partner relocated to Tryon in 2020. Eldred joined the Upstairs Artspace board team in 2023.
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Board Director
Ashley Menetre
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Ashley joined the board in 2022. She owns and operates The Nest Artisan Market, a boutique in Tryon.She and her family have lived in Tryon since 2012 and are highly involved in community life. She attended Art Institute of Atlanta.
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404-319-1052
Gallery Manager
Steve Wong
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Steve joined Upstairs Artspace in the spring of 2022 as the gallery manager. Previously, he wrote about the gallery, its shows and artists, for local magazines. By profession, he is a writer and promoter.
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FrontDesk@UpstairsArtspace.org
864-316-6559
Board Director
Elizabeth (Betsy) McCrodden
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Betsy McCrodden is a retired attorney/mediator who moved to Tryon in 2021. An avid art collector, she has come to appreciate Tryon’s art scene and artists. Betsy is particularly focused on the longterm viability of the Upstairs Gallery, and she looks forward to working with the Upstairs Board to promote its mission of bringing contemporary art to the community. She joined the board in 2023.
Board Director
Christy Souther
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Christy is a graphic design and marketing professional with her own agency, South Creative, Inc. She also works at Flat Rock Playhouse in the Marketing Department, handling all aspects of promoting their plays. She joined Upstairs Artspace's Board of Directors in September 2022.
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Christy@southcreativedesign.com
864-316-4082
Board Director
Becky Collins
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Becky is a U.S. military veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm. She is active in the local community, serving on several boards. She is the owner/instructor at The Hive Studio at the Mill Spring Ag Center. She is an experienced fundraiser and excellent manager. Becky joined our board in 2022.
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BeckyQB3@gmail.com
513-254-5375
Board Director
Sandra Miller
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Sandra is an attorney who specializes in healthcare law. Prior to becoming an attorney, she was a registered nurse and director of nursing. She has served on many boards throughout her career, including being president for two nonprofits. Her experience in advising nonprofits on fiduciary obligations, conduct of business and ethics is invaluable. Upstairs Artspace welcomed her onto the board in 2022.
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864-630-6731
Staff
Claire Sachse
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You will meet Claire if you come to the gallery on Saturdays or to one of our special events. She has been associated with and a supporter of the gallery in many ways through the years. Her background is in journalism and public relations. In her spare time, she gets lost in the trippy world of her surreal collage creations.
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