2025 Bascom Staff, Left to Right: From left, first row: Priscilla Galloway, Naomi Chastain, Ester Lipscomb, Jessica Lammers, Zach Rogers, Billy Love, Haley Bleckley, Bianca Mitchell, Holly Alligood, and Jamie Raynor. Back Row: Frank Vickery and Madison Minus. Not pictured: Caryn Raming,
As the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau celebrates the anniversaries of its most beloved institutions, one stands out for its enduring spirit and creative legacy: The Bascom: A Center for the Visual Arts. Now marking its 40th anniversary, The Bascom isn’t just commemorating a birthday – it’s hosting a full-blown creative jubilee, honoring decades of art, community, and vision.
Founded in 1985 as the Bascom-Louise Gallery, the center began with a simple but powerful mission: to bring visual arts to the Plateau. Named for local philanthropist Louise Bascom Barratt, the gallery’s first home was a cozy nook within Hudson Library. Over the years, its reputation blossomed, drawing artists and art lovers from across the Southeast and becoming a cultural cornerstone.
The story of The Bascom’s transformation is a true Highlands tale, as recounted by Bob Fisher, former Chairman of the Board and Acting CEO for five years.
“It’s a story of how individuals from across the community came together, offering their time, talents, and financial resources to realize an audacious vision,” Fisher recalls.
The journey took a pivotal turn in 1999, when the Bascom-Louise Gallery, then an annex of the library, was given a 10-year deadline to find a new home. The challenge was daunting – the gallery had never raised significant funds before.
A site search committee was formed, and after much searching, the ideal location was found: the former Crane Stables, a picturesque six-acre tract with a historic barn and rolling meadows. The price tag of $1 million seemed formidable, but the site’s charm captured the imagination of the board and potential donors alike.
Fisher stepped into the role of Board Chair and Acting Executive Director, driven by the vision of a community arts campus that would anchor Main Street’s west end.
The initial plan called for a modest 5,000-square-foot building, but fate had grander designs. Wayne Yonce, a lifelong Franklin resident and expert in antique structures, offered a remarkable gift: a massive 1830 Pennsylvania barn he had purchased and stored, which became the centerpiece of The Bascom’s new home.
“As the barn was being installed, another opportunity arose – a historic covered bridge, the second oldest in the United States, was available for purchase,” says Fisher. Thanks to the generosity of Dian Winingder, who funded the bridge in honor of New Orleans artist Will Henry Stevens, the bridge was painstakingly reconstructed by skilled bridge-wrights, providing an iconic entry to the campus.”
Bob Fisher (right) and team with mules for bridge installation.
In June 2009, The Bascom opened its doors in its new location, just in time to meet the original deadline.
Today, The Bascom welcomes more than 20,000 visitors each year, remaining true to its mission of making the arts accessible to all.
As Executive Director Billy Love reflects, “For 40 years, The Bascom has been a place where creativity and community meet. What began as a small gallery has grown into a hub for inspiration and connection.”
This anniversary is not only a moment to reflect on the past, but to look forward. In this corner of the Southern Appalachians, the arts are more than enrichment – they are a catalyst for connection, economic vitality, and resilience.
“The Bascom is committed to sustaining a dynamic creative economy, supporting artists at every stage, and ensuring that every person – whether a local child or a visitor from afar – can find inspiration within its walls,” says Love.
As The Bascom celebrates 40 years, its legacy is clear: a vibrant, welcoming space where art and community flourish, and where the next chapter is just beginning.
The Bascom Bridge during installation.
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