Visual Arts

Creative Makers

Named one of America’s Small-Town Arts Places, Highlands attracts creatives year-round in every genre.

Unleash your creative genius on the mountain and visit the artists! Highlands has drawn “creative makers” to the mountains for inspiration for many years and it’s still true today. Multiple writers of varying genres, painters, sculptors, candlemakers, woodworkers, jewelry designers, and potters, just to name a few, all call Highlands home.

Visit our downtown shops and The Bascom to find Highlands creatives.

The Bascom Center for Visual Arts

The center of Highlands’ dynamic artistic community is The Bascom. Though it began as a small exhibition space at Hudson Library in 1983, in 2009 The Bascom opened its doors at the new state-of-the-art home a public, six-acre “green” campus with a 27,500-square-foot main building, multiple studios devoted to a range of art media, covered bridge signature entrance, creekside nature trail, outdoor terrace and more. 

Today, The Bascom is a beloved creative resource for art lovers and artists at all ability levels, as well as the community. Programming includes expansive community outreach, a wide range of exhibitions, high-quality art workshops, a permanent art collection, and community events. www.thebascom.org

Highlands Art and Craft

Founded in 2006 to bolster community support for regional artisans, these shows offer two days of art, folk art, crafts, rustic furniture, demonstrations, live music, food and fun--what’s not to love?

The two annual shows are held in beautiful Kelsey-Hutchinson “Founders” Park on Pine Street, a short walk from Main Street. Highlands Mountaintop Rotary sponsors the show, with proceeds going to local charitable causes. https://www.highlandsvillageartshow.com/