Each July, The Bascom celebrates what it does best – bringing people together through the visual arts.
Community Day, now a beloved tradition more than a decade strong, invites residents and visitors alike to experience the joy of creativity, connection, and shared place.
On Saturday, July 5, from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., The Bascom’s six-acre campus will come alive with free, art-filled festivities for all ages. Guests can take part in hands-on activities, explore the grounds, and enjoy classic summer treats like fresh-popped popcorn and snowcones.
This year’s Community Day features an inspiring lineup of artist and community demonstrators.
The Jackson County Green Energy Park returns to dazzle audiences with live glassblowing demonstrations that showcase the power of repurposed energy and the beauty of glass.
Frank Vickery, The Bascom’s Director of Ceramics, and Ester Lipscomb, Ceramics Artist-Educator, will guide visitors in throwing clay on the potter’s wheel.
Additional activities include beadmaking, jewelry design, and a creative project led by Caryn Raming, The Bascom’s Community Engagement Associate. The Art League of Highlands-Cashiers will also be on hand, offering opportunities to engage in collaborative art-making.
Highlands-Cashiers Hospital will host its beloved Teddy Bear Clinic, helping children learn about medical procedures and reduce anxiety through play. Children will receive a stuffed animal for a “check-up” with caring hospital staff in a welcoming, supportive environment.
Inside the galleries, The Bascom’s summer exhibitions reflect on legacy, growth, and artistic innovation. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, two retrospectives trace the institution’s evolution: Inspiring & Empowering: A Journey Through The Bascom’s Exhibition Legacy and Looking Back: A Retrospective of The Bascom’s Artists-in-Residence Program.
Also on view is The Rain Crow, a poetic exploration of Southern landscape and memory by 2025 Photography Resident Margaret Adams.
The Bascom Shop will be open throughout the day, offering a curated selection of handmade work by regional artists in a variety of mediums – ceramics, textiles, woodturning, glass, and more—celebrating the depth and diversity of creative practice in the region.
Visitors can also explore the Atrium Series in the Greehey Atrium, which showcases exceptional works not typically available for purchase at The Bascom, offering a unique opportunity to acquire distinctive pieces from sought-after makers.
Whether you’ve visited many times or are just passing through, Community Day is an invitation to create, connect, and feel at home in the heart of the Plateau’s creative community.
The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts is located at 323 Franklin Road in Highlands.
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