A man with glasses and a beard sitting on a stool, holding a palette and a brush, working on an abstract painting on an easel in a bright room with large windows, indoor plants, and natural light.

Our story

The Art League of Highlands-Cashiers brings together artists, art enthusiasts and the community to encourage creativity, support the visual arts and create opportunities for artistic growth. Through exhibitions, artist programs and community outreach, the League promotes the arts across the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, with a special commitment to fostering creativity in young people.

The League began with a gathering of artists and art enthusiasts in a barn on Webbmont in Highlands on July 24, 1980.  Officers were elected, the artists made plans to paint together, have monthly membership meetings throughout the year and have several shows a year.  The Art League of Highlands was born. 

 Meeting in homes and studios for some time, the group found its first permanent home for meetings and exhibitions in the Bascom Louise Gallery of The Hudson Library.  For more than four decades, the Art League has continued to thrive. 

Shortly after the opening of The Bascom: A center for the Visual Arts in May 2009, the Bascom graciously agreed to host the Art League's monthly meetings.

A person's hand holding a paintbrush and painting on a colorful canvas.
A woman painting outdoors in a grassy field with trees in the background, wearing a denim jacket, cap, and glasses, using an easel and palette.
An artisan sculpting a detailed face on a clay bust, using a small sculpting tool, with a workbench and tools in the background.
Group of people participating in a painting class, standing at easels, with large windows in a well-lit room.

BOARD MEMBERS

Kathy Prosser (President)

John Bauknight (Vice President)

Zach Claxton (Treasurer and Fall Colors Show Chair)

Susan Hunt (Secretary)

Susan Bauknight

John Cannon (Summer Colors Show Chair)

Betti Hankey

Jim Kinard

Caroline Cook

Cath Connolly Hudson

Martha Sutherland-Wright

Mike Dunn 

Leslie Jeffery 

Our Sponsors

John and Susan Bauknight 

Beth and Ken Bowser 

Chris Brown 

John S. Cannon 

Hillary Cone 

Caroline Cook 

Country Club Properties of Highlands Mariya and Mike Dunn 

Cindy and Randy Foster 

Gwen Greenglass 

Highlands Decorating Center 

Highlands Hardware, Inc. 

Highlands-Cashiers Sothebys International Susan Hunt 

Artist Christine Hyde 

Leslie Jeffery 

Jane Jerry 

Gil and Jacqueline Leebrick 

Nancy Race Art 

Tony and Kathy Prosser 

Catharine Seay 

Michelle Webster 

Martha Sutherland-Wright 

Zach Claxton Art