Sculptures at Tryon Arts and Crafts School

Right next to Harmon Field there are two kinetic sculptures on the grounds of TACS. The first depicts a tree and was built by a group of local artists and craftspeople known as The Breakfast Crew. It honors one of their own, Walt Myers, who passed in 2022 and did much of the work on this piece in his home workshop. It’s made of steel, copper textured bronze, copper, stained glass, and fused glass. The tree’s limbs gently sway in the wind and refract stained glass light through its leaves. The sculpture is meant to be a peaceful, contemplative piece that reflects the region’s natural beauty. The two girl silhouettes were added after the tree was completed to represent Myers’ two daughters. 

The second sculpture depicts a 12-foot-tall Penny Farthing bicycle, a style of bike from the late 19 century known for its oversized front wheel. Inside the front wheel are smaller, multi-colored bicycles and wheels with stained glass in the spokes. The sculpture was designed by Will Kalberg and constructed by him and members of the The Breakfast Crew who installed it in February 2024. The sculpture is meant to be a celebration of TSAC’s commitment to diversity and sustainability. 

Visitors may notice a jockey statue that often sparks curiosity. While its exact provenance and detailed history might be less formally documented than some other public art pieces, these statues are a common sight in equestrian-focused communities like Tryon, reflecting the area's deep connection to horses and horse racing.