By Age Group
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!
Adult 85 Events
The Bascom's Education Department is committed to providing life-enriching experiences through comprehensive arts education for children and adults. Our classes and workshops are designed to meet the needs of artists of all skill levels in a variety of mediums.
Registration
To register for any of our classes or workshops, simply click the REGISTER button for that class or workshop.
Prefer to resister over the phone? Call 828.526.4949.
REFUND POLICY (Please Read)
50% of your tuition payment is a non-refundable deposit. In the event that a student requests cancellation prior to 45 days of class/workshop commencement, he/she will be offered a course transfer or refund of 50% of the tuition payment. If a student cancels within 45 days prior to the first day of class, no refund will be made. The Bascom reserves the right to cancel any program that does not meet minimum enrollment, and full refunds will be issued.
Youth 44 Events
Our youth classes and workshops are designed specifically for younger artists below the age of 18 years old to explore, develop, and get real hands-on instruction in a variety of mediums. Our youth classes and workshops are designed specifically for younger artists below the age of 18 years old to explore, develop, and get real hands-on instruction in a variety of mediums.
All Ages 18 Events
Resident Artist Series: Molds for Clay
In this 4 day mold making class, we will explore and create different types of clay molds and texture molds. The focus will be on making the molds and testing the molds for accuracy and ability to use in your studio practice. This class includes Open Studio only on the day of class. There is no glazing component to this class.
Breaking into Portrait Painting in Oils with Nicholas Thorp
View the Supply List HERE
In this hands-on workshop you will paint four portraits over three days to establish a foundation in painting portraits in oil. Three will be painted with an alla prima technique, and one will be painted using the slower indirect, academic approach. This will give you a wide variety of tools to start you on the exciting road of painting portraits.
All Ages Pottery: Empty Bowls
Come help us make bowls for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, which supports the International Friendship Center and the Highlands Food Pantry. You will make a bowl to donate and one to keep for yourself. Student work will be available for pickup or shipping two to three weeks after class.
Suitable for ages 6 and up.
The Language of Layers: Discovering Your Artistic Voice in Oil and Cold Wax with Lisa Boardwine
View the Supply List HERE
This workshop is designed for artists eager to explore the expressive possibilities of abstraction through the versatile medium of oil and cold wax. Together we’ll experiment with mark making, layering, texture and color to build rich, luminous surfaces that tell a story. Through guided exercises and demonstrations, you’ll learn how to combine intuitive gestures with thoughtful composition — allowing your personal artistic voice to emerge naturally. This class invites freedom, play, and discovery. The workshop will encourage you to take risks, embrace process, and trust your intuition as you create compelling, light and texture-filled abstract paintings.
Whether you’re new to cold wax medium or seeking to deepen your practice, you’ll leave with fresh techniques, finished pieces, and renewed inspiration for your art journey. Join me and let's paint together May 20th-22nd!
Transferred Layers
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to edit images, create screens, and print custom underglaze transfers for use on ceramic surfaces. Designed for mid- to high-fire clay, the process expands surface decoration techniques and introduces participants to screen-printed imagery as a versatile tool in ceramic practice.
All students will be provided with:
1 Speed screen screen printing kit which includes:
- 8-inch x 10-inch Speedball Wood Frame, 30W LED Lamp, 4oz Black Fabric Screen Printing Ink, craft stick, Speedball Screen Cord, Red Baron Squeegee, 3-Pack Speed Screens, black paper, (3) Speedball Transparency Sheets
1 newsprint pad
1 Speedball brayer
a wide variety of the available Speedball underglaze colors
1 silicone spatula
1 information and instruction handout
Resident Artist Series: Glazing Class
All Ages Pottery: Wall Pocket Vase
Bark to Basket Workshop with The Primitive Arts' Andrew Lee
This hands-on, one-day workshop takes students through the full process of creating a poplar bark basket; from harvesting bark from fresh logs to building and embellishing a finished piece.
Ages 18+. No prior knowledge of or experience with basketry is necessary. All Matierals and equipment provided.
Look-Think-Paint: The key to Creative Breakthroughs and Beautiful Paintings with John Guernsey
View the Supply List HERE
This workshop with award-winning painter and teacher John Guernsey emphasizes careful observation, thoughtful decision-making, and expressive painting. Through demonstrations, group discussion, and guided studio time, participants will refine essential skills while developing work that reflects personal intent. Open to all skill levels, working in oil or acrylic.
Power-carving a Red-Tailed Hawk Feather with Christine Smith
In this hands-on workshop with Christine Smith, participants will carve and paint a realistic Red-Tailed Hawk feather. The session covers three-dimensional carving techniques, surface detailing, and finishing with transparent acrylic paint washes. No prior carving or painting experience is required, and all instruction is provided.
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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