CLE’s Season Kick-off

Written By: Audra Bullard, Center for Life Enrichment | Issue: April 2025

The Highlands-Cashiers Center for Life Enrichment is gearing up for its most spectacular season yet.

Whether you’re interested in attending historical lectures that transport you to another time and place, learning more about current affairs from specially curated experts, experimenting with a new art medium, or refining your culinary skills, CLE has something for everyone!

To kick off the season in style, CLE’s Opening Season Soirée will take place on Friday, June 6, at High Country Wine & Provisions. Guests are encouraged to drop by between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00 P.M. to enjoy wine and light nibbles, catch up with Plateau friends, meet CLE’s new Executive Director, Meg Stevens, and see what CLE has in store for the season.

This event is free to attend and open to members and non-members alike (so bring a friend). Please call CLE’s office at (828) 526-8811 or visit CLE’s website to RSVP.

July 21 heralds the return of CLE fan-favorite Andrew Weissmann, along with Benjamin Wittes, editor in chief of Lawfare, for a discussion on the Trump 2.0 administration’s impact on the United States Department of Justice, the FBI, the Intelligence Community, and national security. This presentation is ideal for those interested in a deep dive into the activities of the president, the administrative state, and the courts by two of the country’s foremost thinkers about democracy, national security and the rule of law. If you missed out on seeing Andrew last season, now is your chance. This program will sell out, and advanced registration is required.

While Fall may seem just a distant notion, local artists are encouraged to mark their calendars for September 15, as nationally awarded artist Alan Shuptrine will be returning to Highlands to teach a watercolor painting workshop.

This exclusive CLE experience will focus on painting weathered farm homes, clapboard buildings, shadows, and distant grass fields. Alan’s favorite teacher was his father, Hubert Shuptrine (1936-2006) and of course, both Hubert and Alan’s works are inspired by artist Andrew Wyeth. Wyeth’s preferred techniques being covered in this six hour class by Alan will include drybrush watercolor, layering of washes, and detailed Realism. This is a one-of-a-kind artist encounter you won’t want to miss!

To learn more, register for programs, or join/renew your CLE membership, please visit clehighlands.com, call (828) 526-8811, or email office@clehighlands.com.