Winter Hours | Exhibitions and Shop:  Wed - Sat; 10 am - 4 pm | Studio Barn:  Mon - Sat 10 - 4; Sun noon - 4 pm |  828-526-4949 | Get Directions 

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.

  1. Register for a Workshop
  2. Create your username and password during the registration process
  3. Check your email (Don't see it in your inbox? Check your junk/spam folder and mark it as not junk/spam)
  4. Click on the activation link in the email and... Voila! You're good to go!

 

The Bascom's Education Department is committed to providing life-enriching experiences through comprehensive arts education for children and adults. We offer a variety of educational programs which include workshops, ongoing classes, Art by Appointment, Open Studio Packages, field trips, demonstrations, community classes, and clubs - designed to meet the needs of artists of all skill levels.

Registration

To register for any of our classes or workshops, simply click the REGISTER button for that class or workshop.

Prefer to register 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.

The Bascom's Education Department is committed to providing life-enriching experiences through comprehensive arts education for children and adults. Our lectures and seminars are designed to provide informative and educational opportunities for 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.


 

One of the great benefits to becoming a member of The Bascom is having the opportunity to participate with like-minded individuals in one of the clubs or artist groups that convene on our campus.

Youth Events 44 Events

27
Aug
2025

From Realism to Abstraction

August 27, 2025 9:00 am - August 29, 2025 4:00 pm
Instructor(s): Karen Weihs
$500.00
From Realism to Abstraction

Join Karen Weihs in From Realism to Abstraction, a workshop exploring palette knife and brush techniques with Cobra water mixable oils or your preferred medium. Focused on transforming landscapes into dynamic compositions, this workshop includes demonstrations, value color studies, and personalized instruction to guide participants in creating unique works that bridge realism and abstraction.

27
Aug
2025

Floral Application

August 27, 2025 10:00 am - September 3, 2025 12:00 pm
Instructor(s): Colette Clark
$150.00

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

08
Sep
2025

Let’s Fire it Up!!!

September 8, 2025 9:00 am - September 12, 2025 4:00 pm
Instructor(s): Gay Smith and Frank Vickery
$900.00
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.


 

09
Sep
2025

Encaustics with Sue Fazio

September 9, 2025 10:00 am - September 12, 2025 4:00 pm
Instructor(s): Sue Fazio
$475.00
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!

10
Sep
2025

Youth Homeschool Pottery: Pottery Pumpkins

September 10, 2025 1:30 pm - September 24, 2025 3:00 pm
Instructor(s): Ester Lipscomb
$120.00
Youth Homeschool Pottery: Pottery Pumpkins

Make all kinds of clay pumpkins and help us get ready for the Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt

Class meets:

September 10, 17, and 24

Ages:

5-18

11
Sep
2025

Youth Afterschool Pottery - Pottery Pumpkins

September 11, 2025 3:45 pm - September 25, 2025 5:00 pm
Instructor(s): Ester Lipscomb
$120.00
Youth Afterschool Pottery - Pottery Pumpkins

Make all kinds of clay pumpkins and help us get ready for the Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt.

Class meets:

September 11, 18, and 25

Ages:

5-18

11
Sep
2025

Artist Talk with Gay Smith and Frank Vickery

September 11, 2025 5:00 pm -6:00 pm
Instructor(s):
Free
Artist Talk with Gay Smith and Frank Vickery

Join us for an artist talk with ceramic artists Gay Smith and Frank Vickery. 

16
Sep
2025

Resident Artist Series: September Halloween Pumpkins

September 16, 2025 10:00 am - September 24, 2025 12:00 pm
Instructor(s): Frank Vickery
$175.00
Resident Artist Series: September Halloween Pumpkins

Learn a variety of techniques for making clay pumpkins. We will make pumpkins the first week of class and glaze on the 24th.

Class Meets:

September 16th, 17th, 18th, 24th

20
Sep
2025

Intergenerational Pottery - Pottery Pumpkin

September 20, 2025 1:30 pm -3:30 pm
Instructor(s):
$75.00
Intergenerational Pottery - Pottery Pumpkin

Make a clay pumpkin to keep and some tiny ones to share in our Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt.

Ages:

5 and up 

27
Sep
2025

15th Annual Bascom Clay Symposium

September 27, 2025 10:00 am -4:00 pm
Instructor(s): Kirsten Stingle, Thadeus Erdahl, Natasha Dikareva
Free
15th Annual Bascom Clay Symposium

Join us for the 15th anniversary of The Bascom Clay Symposium, featuring Kirsten Stingle, TJ Erdahl, Natasha Dikareva, and Thaddeus Erdahl 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.

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Opening Hours

Exhibitions & Shop (Winter Hours)
Wednesday - Saturday; 10 am - 4 pm

Studio Barn (Winter Hours)
Monday - Saturday; 10 am - 4 pm
Sunday; Noon - 4 pm

Find Us Online:
      

base-logo

Visit: 323 Franklin Road
Highlands, NC 28741 (Map It)

Call: 828-526-4949 (Main)
828-787-2892 (Ceramics Studio)

NCAC50 Logo White

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

TBS SouthArtsLogo     TBS NEALogo

 Funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Learn more at SouthArts.org.

TBS Logos HighlandsChamber 182x150px

 Funding is due in part to a Tourism Grant with Visit Highlands, NC. Learn more HighlandsChamber.org