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!
Agateware Throwing Carving Workshop

During this 2-day, hands-on, intensive workshop with Eck McCanless, participants will learn how to make Agateware on the wheel and carve it to reveal patterns similar to wood grain or peacock feathers. I will go over all the tips and tricks I have learned from being a professional potter for the past 30 years with a sole focus on Agateware for the past 13.
Class Schedule: 9 AM–Noon & 1 PM–4 PM
Beginning Drawing with Oil Pastels

Discover the beauty of oil pastels in this fun, three-day workshop! Learn a painterly, impressionistic approach to drawing with vibrant colors, exploring layout, values, texture, and color theory. Activities include still-life drawing, on-location landscapes, and recreating a favorite landscape photo. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike!
Resident Artist Series: June Beginner Potter’s Wheel

Using the potter’s wheel to make functional objects can be a very rewarding experience. This class will cover the basics of working on the potter’s wheel. If you have never tried this before, please expect some difficulty in the initial stages. The focus will be to learn centering and then to pull shapes such as bowls (ex. berry bowls, soup bowls, colander, cereal bowls, etc) and cylinders (ex. Mugs, tumblers, sippers – based on the learning curve). The second week of class will be trimming and practicing more shapes. Glazing will take place the final week. Some experience may be necessary.
Class Meets:
June 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 18th
Mastering Plein Air Painting in Oils

Join this dynamic workshop to refine your painting skills, focusing on clean color mixing, accurate values, and engaging compositions. Open to all levels, the workshop includes morning demos, lectures, and afternoon plein air sessions (weather permitting). Participants will complete at least one painting daily in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
Look-Think-Paint: The key to Creative Breakthroughs and Beautiful Paintings

Join award-winning painter and teacher John Guernsey for a workshop focused on refining observation skills, prioritizing key elements in a scene, and creating expressive, skillful paintings. Through demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on painting, participants will gain valuable insights and one-on-one guidance. Open to all skill levels and suitable for both oil and acrylic painters, this workshop promises a fun and inspiring learning experience.
It's all about the Soda

Join potter Ron Philbeck for a week-long workshop exploring the art of soda firing. Students will bring bisque-fired pots to decorate, slip, and glaze before firing The Bascom’s soda kiln. The workshop includes wheel-throwing demonstrations of functional forms, decorative techniques like wax resist and stamping, and discussions on achieving desired results. Unloading the kiln will reveal unique, one-of-a-kind pots shaped by the soda firing process.
Class Schedule: 9 AM–Noon & 1 PM–4 PM
Still life workshop - from small studies to finished painting

Discover a fresh, loose, and expressive painting style in this workshop for all levels. Through demonstrations, exercises, and one-on-one guidance, you'll learn to paint with bold, confident strokes while embracing creativity. Oil or acrylic paints are welcome, though oil experience is recommended. A supply list will be provided.
Resident Artist Series: "Tis the Season" in July using the Slab Machine
Still life Painting in Oils
Why gorgeous GRAYS are the secret for greater faster, growth: Unlock this fun world of painting.

Unlock the magic of Gorgeous Grays with Bill’s engaging and non-judgmental approach to mastering design, values, shapes, and color harmony. Learn how grays enhance your ability to see and create compelling compositions with harmonious color and scintillating temperature shifts. Bill combines his artistic expertise with neuroscience insights to simplify complex concepts and make learning faster, easier, and more enjoyable. Build confidence and elevate your skills with this transformative workshop experience!
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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