Staff and Board of Directors

Dedicated Artisans, Business People, Volunteers, & Professionals

Our Staff

Beth Holland, Sales Associate

Beth, born in Jackson and reared in Capitol City and in Columbus, is an enthusiastic appreciator of handcraft and the creativity, talent, and passion of Craftsmen’s Guild artisans.

She worked as a reporter, columnist, editorial writer, and editor at news organizations in New England, Mississippi, and New York before returning to Jackson in the fall of 2020. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Mississippi State University and a master’s in journalism from Boston University.

Beth is a lover of family gatherings, Delta sunsets, the writings of Eudora Welty and Willie Morris, oyster po’boys, fresh tomatoes, and cheese straws. Her two daughters live in Washington, D.C., and Hudson, N.Y.

You will find her in the Gallery at the Bill Waller Craft Center and she is most glad to be of help!

betsy ross executive director of the craftsmens guild of mississippi

Betsy Ross, Executive Director

As Executive Director of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi, Betsy's role is multifaceted, blending leadership, financial management, and community engagement.

Betsy's visionary outlook includes providing leadership for the Guild and serving as the organization's public face, raising its visibility both at a local and state level.

In addition, Betsy is responsible for fiscal oversight and the organization's financial health. She also is responsible for building and nurturing solid relationships with Guild members.

Betsy grew up in Jackson and attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where she received a B.S. in elementary education. Actively pursuing a career in teaching, she quickly moved into the gifted education classroom and worked for the Madison County School District for 12 years.

Betsy lives in Madison with her husband and two children.

Greta Wharton, Sales Associate

Born and bred in Tar Heel Country, Greta came to Jackson by way of New York City in 1990.  She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill; followed by studies in non-profit administration at Salem College in Winston-Salem and graphic arts while living in New York.  

Prior to the Guild, she pursued a multi-faceted career in art fields. Her experience includes graphic design and photography; as well as years of arts administration in the areas of public affairs, special events, fundraising and education for museum, galleries and civic organizations.  A perpetual DIY-er, Greta enjoys a myriad of hobbies, cooking and attempts at gardening.  She lives in an old bungalow in Fondren with a Great Pyrenees and a cat.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors oversees the work of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi.

Half of the board is composed of Guild artisan members and the other half is composed of business people and community volunteers.

Members serve three-year, staggered terms.

OFFICERS

Debby DeLashmet, President

Rhonda Blasingame, Secretary

Elizabeth Montambault, Treasurer

Carolyn Hudson, Standards Chair

CRAFTSMEN

Linda Beasley

Phil Brown

Alma Ellis

Ila Hallmark

Paul Meek

Kit White

Jim Piggot

PATRONS

Brian Beckham

Jenny Berryhill

Kim Cooper

Joe Dove

Corey Ellison

Otie Heubach

Ray Lewis

Susan Marquez

Elizabeth Rivers

Mike Stevens

Marion Wofford

STAY IN THE LOOP!

STAY IN THE LOOP!

visitors at the mississippi craft center with shopping bags

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