The Bascom :: A Center for the Visual Arts

High on a mountain plateau, The Bascom art center provides audiences of all ages with stimulating, diverse exhibitions, studio art instruction and other cultural experiences. Join us at our six-building, six-acre campus in Highlands, North Carolina. The Bascom offers you and your family and friends a community gathering-place amid art and nature, along with many program offerings. Admission is free.

Current Exhibitions

Making Waves

March 8 to May 18. Loft Gallery
Closing Reception: Saturday, May 3. 5:00–7:00 pm
The use of non-powered boats on the lakes and rivers are part of the mountain culture that was promoted by Samuel Truman Kelsey, one of the founding fathers of Highlands, and supported by the 1989 Land Use Plan that describes the "magnificent beauty and unusual attraction" of the outstanding biological diversity, scenic mountain vistas, unpolluted watersheds and fortunate location in the midst of the Nantahala National Forest. Handcrafted wooden boats will be on display, including handmade bamboo rods, paddles, antique outboard motors, reels and flies. This exhibition coincides with the Highlands Three River Fly Fishing Tournament.

Out of the Ordinary

April 5 through June 15. Bunzl Gallery
Artists Panel Discussion: May 31. 5–6:00 pm
Closing Reception: May 31. 6–7:00 pm
Rebecca Dimling Cochran is the guest curator for Out of the Ordinary, an exhibition that will focus on contemporary artists, including Long-bin Chen, Willie Cole, Chakaia Booker, Matthew Brandt, Mary Engel, and Vik Muniz, who select and use materials specifically for the symbolism or iconography that adds to their work. She will moderate a panel discussion of artists whose works are in this exhibition.

Elsa Norris Dodd Remembered

April 12 to August 3
Joel Balcony Gallery
Opening Reception: April 12, 5 to 7 pm
Friends Remembered: 6 pm
Elsa Dodd was a favorite character of Highlands, known by many to be a talented artist who promoted the arts in Highlands early on. Members of the Highlands Art League, in collaboration with The Bascom, have curated this exhibition of Dodd's work that will present a retrospective of her life's work.

Upcoming Exhibitions, Films, and Lectures

See the complete schedule of art events»

Brandon Reese: Circles

Ceramics. April 19 through December 7. On Campus

Heather Hilton: Wave Forms

Sculpture. April 19 through June 1. Atrium Gallery

Wesley Wofford: Beneath the Surface

Sculpture. May 24 through August 17

Joe Baird, Jr. MD: "Emotions"

Lecture. Thursday, May 29

High School Ceramics

May 24 through July 27. Landing Gallery

Vicky Grant: From the Earth

Sculpture. June 7 through August 31. Atrium Gallery

Vicki Grant: "Architecture Informing Art"

Lecture. Saturday, June 28. CLE Lecture Hall

Featured Adult Workshops

See the complete list of available classes and workshops, including Ceramics, Painting, Drawing, Photography and more»

Ceramics I and II

Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• February 11, 13, 18, 20
• March 4, 6, 11, 13
• April 8, 10, 15, 17
Morning or evening classes available for all dates.

Ceramics III

Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• February 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27
• March 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20
• April 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24
Morning or evening classes available for all dates.