Words by Emily Davis | Photography by Courtney Snyder
There's never any shortage of things to see and do at The Bascom. With a rich and storied history from its inception in 1985, it has evolved over the years to provide a central home for the visual arts in Highlands. The center, which moved to its current campus in 2009, has continuously served its community with a rigorous schedule of educational and social enrichment. In a testament to The Bascom's potential for future growth and ever-expanding possibilities, this past summer witnessed the unveiling of new opportunities and the refurbishment of the property's long-standing centerpiece: the Will Henry Stevens Bridge.
Rededication of the Will Henry Stevens Bridge
Over the years, visitors at The Bascom have found themselves enchanted by the antique, covered bridge leading onto the picturesque campus. This iconic feature dates to the 1800s. It was moved from its original home in New Hampshire and installed at the center’s entrance in a nod to the property’s rural farming heritage. Works by the bridge’s namesake, Southern modernist painter Will Henry Stevens, can be seen in The Bascom’s exhibition From the Lowlands to the Highlands, on display in the Bunzl Gallery through January 11, 2025.
With the exception of the nails in its floorboards, the bridge is composed entirely of wood—1,500 trunnels and dowels join the parts in an intricate construction process that is said to outlast concrete bridges. Since the bridge’s installation in 2008, staff members have steadfastly monitored its condition and stability. Renovations began in 2023 to shore up the structure and ensure its continued presence as a cherished local landmark.
The rededication ceremony, held in July 2024, celebrated the completion of the repairs, the generosity of The Bascom donors, and the reopening of The Bascom’s main entrance. The Will Henry Stevens Bridge will continue to stand as a remnant of the past and a promise to the future of the arts in Highlands.
Artist Talk With Gay Smith
September 4 | Begins at 4 PM
Free event
Dazzling Dahlia Festival Poster Party
September 5 | From 5 to 6:30 PM
Free event
Studio Dahlia Pottery Show
September 6 and 7 | From 10 AM to 4 PM
Dazzling Dahlia Festival Single Bloom Competition
September 6 from 1:30 to 4 PM
September 7 from 10 AM to 4 PM
Free event
Fall reception: "Members Challenge: Legacies" and "Feel the heal"
September 12 | Begins at 5 PM
Free event
Bascom Clay Symposium
September 27 from 4 to 6 PM with keynote by Stephanie Moore, Executive Director of The Center for Craft (Asheville)
September 28 from 10 AM to 4 PM with demonstrations by Christine Kosiba, Andrea Keys Connell, and Taylor Robenalt
Free events
13th Annual Fall Pottery Show
October 11 and 12 | From 10 AM to 4 PM
For more information on events and classes at The Bascom, call 828-526-4949 or visit thebascom.org.