New Campus

The Bascom's Highlands, North Carolina home will boast a six acre campus and three buildings--an 87-foot-5-inch long covered bridge entrance, a 2,500 sq. ft barn rebuilt for use as a pottery and three-dimensional studio, and a central 21,000-square-foot building by DeWolf Architecture and Lord Aeck Sargent Architecture. The team included Ross Landscape Architecture, Ferry, Hayes & Allen Designers (interiors), and Trehel Corporation (construction). Wayne Yonce was a consultant for the reconstruction of historic buildings.

When officially opened, guests will enter the site through a historic covered bridge off of Highway 64 on Highland’s west end. Visitors will enjoy a walking trail with native flora, a pristine brook with cascading waterfall, and scenic views. The 23,000 square feet total will be like no other art space in Western North Carolina.

Click here for information on helping our capital campaign.

Art Campus

Two outdoor classrooms will be an integral part of our art park, where children and adults can explore and learn about fine art and craft. Those classrooms will complement three indoor studios, one of which will be the updated Crane Barn. The Crane will house our pottery and three-dimensional studio. Life-long Franklin, NC, resident Wayne Yonce, who in his youth caddied at Highlands Country Club and worked at the Crane Stables, has overseen dismantling and re-construction of not only the Crane, but a large 1838 hand-hewn, post-and-beam barn that he has donated to form the core of the main art center building. Facilities will include tentable terrace spaces for large receptions and other events. We will also have a pavilion, trails and multiple scenic views for painting and enjoying our area's beauty.

During construction, we have been careful to preserve and showcase the natural beauty of this important site and to treat it with utmost care to preserve the pristine landscape.

Impact

The Bascom will serve as a community gathering place all year long. The exhibitions, classes and programs will be constantly changing, providing a new experience each time a repeat visitor tours our facility. Our campus will offer a welcoming setting where everyone can come together to enjoy and create art. This is an ambitious endeavor, and it will have a major positive impact on the entire community.

Visit the Site

If you have not done so recently, stop by the art center's new site, located on Oak Street at the west end of Main Street in Highlands. See the building plans on display in the Corn Crib, drive by the site for a passing view, or call the office to arrange a personal tour, 828.526.4949. Construction is under way, so please be careful and stay outside the chain link fences.

Click here to see renderings and blueprints of our new campus.