HIGHLANDS, N.C., July 3, 2009 – Art collectors, connoisseurs and artists, as well as the "art curious" general public, are invited to a summer filled with educational presentations at The Bascom.

These informal lectures, book signings and gallery talks feature well-known artists and others. July and August presentations include the following:
July 13, 7 p.m., "Fantasy and Magic" lecture by artist Gail Russakov, cost $15 general public, $10 members, free to Russakov’s Bascom students
July 19, 2 p.m., "Making Visual Music" lecture by Dr. David Brenneman, Chief Curator and Frances B. Bunzl Family Curator of European Art, High Museum of Art, Atlanta, cost $10 general public, free to Bascom members
Aug. 1, 5 p.m., "Sculpture: Primitive Ways in an Accelerated World" lecture by North Carolina sculptor Patrick Dougherty, cost $10 general public, free to Bascom members
Aug. 6, 5–7 p.m., free book signing with Phillip and Matt Moulthrop for their book "Moulthrop: A Legacy in Wood"
Aug. 8, 2–4 p.m., free book signing with artist Mary Todd Beam for her new book, "The Creative Edge"
Aug. 17, 7 p.m., "Illuminated Landscapes: The Well Crafted Painting" demonstration and lecture with artist John Mac Kah, cost $15 general public, $10 members, free to Mac Kah's Bascom students
Aug. 18, 7 p.m., "The Narrative Figure: Clay" lecture with ceramicist Debra Fritts, cost $15 general public, $10 members, free to Fritts' Bascom students
Aug. 22, 6 p.m., free "Southern Landscapes by Lamar Dodd and Will Henry Stevens" gallery talk by Carol Carr and Dr. William (Bill) Eiland, co-curators of The Bascom's Southern Landscapes exhibition
Aug. 24, 7 p.m., "Portrait Painting in Oils" lecture with artist Marc Chatov, cost $15 general public, $10 members, free to Chatov's Bascom students
Aug. 31, 7 p.m., "Folk Art Inspired by History" lecture with artist Aaron Hequembourg, cost $15 general public, $10 members, free to Hequembourg's Bascom students

Several other lectures are scheduled for September and October.

For more information on these activities or to register, contact The Bascom at (828) 526-4949 or www.thebascom.org.