The Bascom is working towards creating a more integrated and user-friendly experience for our visitors. Please read the following information to familiarize yourself with the process.
How does it work?
Whenever you register for a class or workshop online, you'll be prompted to create a user account during the registration process. The information you provide there can then be used to log in here.
- Register for a Workshop
- Create your username and password during the registration process
- Check your email (Don't see it in your inbox? Check your junk/spam folder and mark it as not junk/spam)
- Click on the activation link in the email and... Voila! You're good to go!
All Skill Levels Welcome 19 Events
Skill Level 0: No Experience 8 Events
Surface Alchemy: Dynamic Surfaces & Vibrant Finishes
Join ceramic sculptors Thaddeus Erdahl and Beau Raymond for a hands-on workshop exploring dynamic glazes, slips, and finishes. Learn to layer vibrant colors, carve and sand surfaces, and apply polychromatic cold finishes to bring your ceramic work to life. Open to all skill levels, this workshop offers expert guidance and experimentation, leaving you with custom test tiles and new techniques to inspire your future projects.
Class Schedule: 9 AM–Noon & 1 PM–4 PM
Floral Application
In this class you will learn to create realistic flowers in clay to adorn wall pocket vases. In addition to the wall pockets, each student will receive one thrown greenware vase to decorate using the techniques discussed.
Class Schedule: 10 AM–Noon
Let’s Fire it Up!!!
In this five-day, hands-on workshop, participants will explore cone 10 gas reduction, cone 10 soda, and cone 6 electric firings. Learn practical and aesthetic techniques for loading and firing kilns, test studio glazes, and experiment with new glaze recipes. Led by Frank Vickery and Gay Smith, the workshop covers throwing bulbous forms, altering surfaces, and improving foundational throwing skills. Students should bring 10-20 bisque pieces suitable for each firing type.
Perfect for potters of all levels looking to refine their techniques and deepen their understanding of kiln firings.
Encaustics with Sue Fazio
Ignite your creativity with encaustics! Explore the art of layering melted colors to create vibrant, dynamic works. Perfect for all skill levels, this workshop encourages experimentation and finishes with at least three completed paintings each day. Returning and new artists are warmly welcomed!
Artist Talk with Gay Smith and Frank Vickery
Join us for an artist talk with ceramic artists Gay Smith and Frank Vickery.
The Abstracted Landscape
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This 4-day class covers the fundamental tenets of design in art. It’s not specifically a non-objective (pure abstract) class, you get to decide the level of abstraction you wish to explore. It is more of a learn-how-to-think class where you learn a process that you can use to explore new ideas. It’s a crash course on finding authenticity in your work. We cover the seven tenets of creative expression and the language of art. Larry’s intent is to help each artist find a way that works that is unique to them, whether they wish to interpret from life, push their process, or go fully abstract. View the Supply List Here |
15th Annual Bascom Clay Symposium
Join us for the 15th anniversary of The Bascom Clay Symposium, featuring Kirsten Stingle, and TJ Erdahl, Natasha Dikareva, as our 2025 artists. This year’s symposium highlights Sculpture, offering engaging demonstrations, shared stories, and artistic techniques that explore the power of clay and mixed media.
- Kirsten Stingle will demonstrate building heads in various stages of creation, focusing on themes of humanity, ecology, and storytelling.
- Natasha Dikareva will share her traditional sculpting process, blending clay and glass to create ethereal, dreamlike forms inspired by nature and imagination.
- Thaddeus Erdahl will explore surface design and finishing techniques, demonstrating how textures, glazes, and polychromatic finishes can enhance sculptural narratives.
Experience the transformative process of sculpture and gain insight into the creative practices and inspirations of these celebrated artists.
Learn two forms of wool felting to make one beautiful sunset dragonfly artwork
Create a unique wool felt dragonfly scene in this two-part workshop. Learn wet felting to craft a sunset backdrop and needle felting to add your dragonfly design. Finish your artwork in a wooden hexagon frame, guided by award-winning fiber artist Kim Keelor. Materials included, no sewing required.
Needle felt your own patch of wee pumpkins
In this 3 1/2 hour class you'll blend richly colored wool and silk, then learn how to 3D needle felt. Class time allows for several pumpkins per person. No sewing involved. Keep your felting pads and needles for future projects.
Beginners, ages 10 - adults.
Spread your Sculpting Wings
| Spread your sculpting wings in this 4 day hands on intensive workshop with Candice Methe and Christine Kosiba focusing on the creative approach that captures the beauty of birds. Candice will lead participants in building bird inspired vessels utilizing the pinch and coil method. Christine will walk participants through sculpting a wall mounted bird, seated bird and avian themed tiles. Surface treatment will be discussed and Candice will cover terra sigillata and its various applications. Christine will discuss surface treatments and incorporating mixed media into her sculptural pieces. |
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Visit: 323 Franklin Road
Highlands, NC 28741 (Map It)
Call: 828-526-4949 (Main)
828-787-2892 (Ceramics Studio)
This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Learn more at NCArts.org
Funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Learn more at SouthArts.org.
Funding is due in part to a Tourism Grant with Visit Highlands, NC. Learn more HighlandsChamber.org