About the HSAC

About the Holly Springs Arts Council

Our Mission:

The Holly Springs Arts Council (HSAC) seeks to enrich the community’s quality of life by providing venues to support the fostering and economic development of artistic expression in our community for the cultural, educational, social, and ethnic vitality of artists and Holly Springs.

Accessibility Information:

The HSAC is committed to provide equal access to programs and activities for all of our patrons. We will work to include children with disabilities and will make every reasonable attempt to provide support to those who may need some assistance to be included in all appropriate programs.

Please contact us to register for programs as early as possible, to ensure we have at least two (2) or more weeks of planning time to develop appropriate accommodations, hire staff, and find out more about the individual.

To discuss accommodations, to explore if a program is appropriate, or to register early to ensure we have time to develop accommodations, email info@hollyspringsartscouncil.org at your earliest convenience.

Our History:

In the history of Holly Springs, the HSAC has been established for temporary periods in club-like group formats. The current establishment of the HSAC is different, however, as it will stay a permanent part of Holly Springs with your help and support.

To ensure the HSAC will remain an integral part of Holly Springs, the HSAC is starting its foundation as a true non-profit organization, with 501(c)3 recognition.

The HSAC is also being governed by a diversely talented group of board members, each of whom bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table.

Board Members:

Brenda Priest – President
Business owner, wife, and mom, Brenda Priest keeps a lot going in her work/life balance. Her education background is in Interior Design and Illustration, but you may know her best by her illustration business, yourdoorandmore.com. Brenda has the leadership skills and entrepreneurial background necessary to promote the growth of the HSAC. She has lived in Holly Springs since 1998.

Mark Kelly – Secretary
Husband, father, grandfather, grant writer, and non-profit enthusiast, Mark Kelly brings a lot to the HSAC. While his passion for the arts is certainly to be admired, Mark’s real assets lie in his successful management, fundraising, and special event coordination for multiple cultural, not-for-profit, and government entities, both as a contractor and volunteer. Since relocating to NC, Mark has worked with artspace in Raleigh, as an advocate, volunteer, and docent. Mark has lived in Holly Springs since September of 2008.

Doug Troskey – Treasurer
With a strong background in finance, we couldn’t ask for a better board treasurer than Doug Troskey. He attended NC State before heading off to UNC-Charlotte for his masters. A husband and father, Doug serves as Chief Financial Officer at First Flight FCU and is a Certified Public Accountant. He has called Holly Springs his home since March 2010.

Sandra Wills – Vice President
Warm glass and jewelry artist, freelance technical writer and editor, wife and mom, Sandra excels at making the most out of very little. She studied Graphic Design and Children’s Fiction at UNC-Chapel Hill, before graduating with a degree in Journalism/Visual Communications. Sandra worked for the NC open source technology leader Red Hat, Inc., as a technical writer, editor, and team manager. She now works from her home, primarily focusing on her kiln-formed glass and jewelry business, sandraawills.com, as well as taking on freelance writing work as time allows. Sandra has lived in Holly Springs since 2002.

Bob Crowley – Board Member
Master of many ceremonies, business owner, history buff, train enthusiast, author, mentor, and all around interesting (and interested) guy, Bob Crowley is well-informed and well-connected. Having worked with many non-profit and community service organizations, from being Corporate Secretary of the North Carolina Railway Museum (New Hope Valley Railway) to being the current President of the Apex Arts

Linda Hunt Williams – Board Member
As a businesswoman, town council member, and community leader with a soft spot for building non-profits, Linda offers the HSAC many valuable talents and professional skills. Linda believes that a town needs community infrastructure and that by helping to build a strong foundation for the HSAC, we can all participate in growing the necessary cultural infrastructure for our wonderful town. Originally from New Orleans, Linda and her family have called Holly Springs their home since 2001.

Lori Puzak – Board Member
Mother, wife, student, and arts promoter, Lori Puzak offers a great deal to the HSAC. Lori is the Program Coordinator at the Holly Springs Cultural Center and is in charge of programming as well as promoting classes offered through the center. She is also the coordinator for the monthly art exhibits throughout the Cultural Center building. Prior to this, Lori was a member of the Muses of Livingston, a women’s group supporting the arts with two major fundraisers each year providing a partial art scholarship to the University of West Alabama. She has lived in Holly Springs since July of 2008.