Each July, The Bascom’s galleries, studios, and campus come to life with the fullness of the season. Free exhibitions are on view in our gallery spaces and outdoors along the Margaret and Horst Winkler Sculpture and Nature Trail, where The Bascom’s Biennial Outdoor Sculpture Program is currently installed. In the galleries: Dean Kessmann’s photography in Joel Gallery, I Sing Behind the Plow: A Century of Teaching Craft & Traditional Culture at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Bunzl Gallery, and Connecting to Place: Blue Ridge Craft Trails Invitational 2026 in Thompson Gallery. The Bascom Shop features the current Atrium Series alongside work by featured regional artists.
Community Day kicks off the month on Friday, July 3, from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Free and open to all, the annual gathering fills the campus with live artist demonstrations, hands‑on making, and open galleries. This year’s lineup includes glassblowing with Annie Jacobsen from the Dillsboro Creative Arts Center, an Empty Bowls project led by Frank Vickery and Ester Lipscomb at the Dave Drake Studio, woodturning by WNC Woodturners, a community art table with Caryn Raming, and storytelling with Cory Howard. No registration is required.
The 15th Annual Summer Pottery Show fills the Dave Drake Studio on July 17 and 18, 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. The show presents a range of functional and sculptural ceramics made and fired on-site by Bascom Studio Members, available for purchase directly from the artists. Every sale supports both the individual maker and The Bascom’s Creative Community Initiative, the umbrella of programs through which The Bascom offers free exhibitions, arts education, community outreach, and scholarships across the region. Admission is free.
Adult workshops in July include painting from life with Armand Cabrera (July 8–10), clay sculpture with Taylor Robenalt (July 24–26), bark basketry with Andrew Lee (July 25), and wet-carved concrete with Elder Jones (July 28–30).
Children’s workshops run each week throughout July under Community Engagement Associate Caryn Raming and Ceramics Artist‑Educator Ester Lipscomb. Raming leads three‑day mixed‑media camps for ages 7–12, exploring new materials and making approaches each week. Lipscomb’s Kids Clay Camps welcome ages 4–18 to the wheel and the hand‑building table, with single‑session All Ages Pottery classes open to children and adults together. Having both educators on staff year‑round has expanded The Bascom’s capacity to serve young people in every season. Scholarships are available for families who need financial assistance.
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