Summer 2026

Next Event!

October 8 (Tuesday)  UNCA Botanical Gardens
151 WT Weaver Blvd, Asheville, NC 28804
MAP

We’ll be taking a “mini-break” while I do some traveling, and return on Tuesday, October 8th at the UNCA Botanical Gardens (151 WT Weaver Blvd, Asheville, NC 28804). Begin at 9:30 and go until noon, but you’re always welcome to arrive a bit early and stay later.

Almost all paint outs officially begin at 9:30 and go until noon, but you’re always welcome to arrive a bit early and stay later.

Remember to always check the Facebook page, our website, and the weekly Mailchimp for changes. I’ve done my best to create a tentative schedule for the entire year but things do come up, and changes do have to be made.

North Carolina is blessed with many local plein air groups. If you haven’t done so I suggest you go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/451223895905067 If you find yourself traveling, what better way to see our state than painting with other plein air artists?

Where We’ve been in 2026

Check the Galleries to see past locations of our paint-outs!

A few words as to how I select these spots, as a lot of consideration goes into doing so. I try to find spots that represent as much as Buncombe County as possible, south, north, east, and west. Our members live in various parts of the area and I strive to be as considerate of that as I can. I also try to diversify the scenes, although it seems we do lean heavily on places near water. I’ll try to do better at balancing that.
Sufficient parking is a must, and nearby bathroom facilities, while not an absolute, certainly are a plus. I do want to incorporate more “urban” settings such as our August 20th event in downtown Weaverville, as well as September paint outs in the River Arts District and downtown Asheville. As of now I have us scheduled through mid November; we’ll add others as the weather dictates. I hope I’ve done a better job of organizing things and I’m always open to new ideas and positive suggestions.

With several newcomers joining us we’ve had a few posts asking how the group works. It’s easy. Events are listed here, on our Facebook page, Instagram, or at Ashevillepleinair.com There is no membership fee or costs of any sort, with the exception of special events such as demos and workshops. Find a paint out that fits your schedule and come join us! With very rare exceptions, all of our paint outs start at 9:30 and wrap up around noon; except for a few selected sites, of which I will make note, you’re welcome to arrive a bit early and stay late. We’re a VERY flexible group.

Of course if you’re new to plein air and have questions about materials and such or would like to be added to our mailing list, feel free to email me at jjcassara@gmail.com
I hope you’re encouraged to come out and paint with us!

Planned Schedule of activities – subject to change, so check Website, Facebook or Calendar!

Some changes I am proposing: Last year’s alternating Tuesday/Thursday schedule seemed to work well, but it still leaves out those who work during the week. I’m suggesting we move to a three weekday paint outs and one Saturday per month format. If anyone wants to host a fourth weekday, PLEASE let me know. But I find myself unable to attend four (and sometimes five) paint outs per month. We are the only local group who maintains a weekly schedule, but with my teaching work and desire to travel more I need to scale back a bit.

email List:

If you would like to be added, please email James Cassara at jjcassara@gmail.com 

If you want to share your paintings for the event day, post them on the Facebook site or send them to Rosemarie and we’ll add them to our galleries for each paint-out. We also have a general gallery for each month which you can share something you’ve done during the month.

Also note: If the weather looks very bad we will post to the Facebook page and our website that a paint out has been cancelled. Always check those places the morning of the event to be sure. If the weather is “iffy” it’s left up to your discretion whether or not to go.


October 2026

Karl Bostwick – October 2024

From James:

Upcoming Activities:

October 8 (Thursday) UNCA Botanical Gardens
October 13 (Tuesday) Zealandia Castle
October 22 (Thursday) Walnut Cove Overlook
October 27 (Tuesday) Riverside Cemetery
November 6-8 Montford Plein Air Festival Fall Edition
November 12 (Thursday) Montreat Conference Center
November 17 (Tuesday) The Park at Flat Rock  

Tomorrow marks the first day of fall, with the promise of cooler temperatures and fall colors. It also marks the last stretch of our plein air season. So far we’ve had 28 events, with more to follow. Speaking of which…
This Thursday, September 24th, Asheville Plein Air Painters will be at the Black Mountain Train Depot, located at 207 Sutton Ave, Black Mountain, NC 28711. We’ll gather at 9:30 and share out at noon. The weather for Thursday looks to be refreshingly cool, so please do come out and join us. There’s a fabulous Thai Restaurant a block away so feel free to stay for lunch.

The following week, on Tuesday September 29th, we’ll return to the North Carolina Arboretum, located at 20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way. By then some of the colors should have begun to turn, so we may wander a bit off the beaten path and on to some of the trails. Education Center, by the large fountains, at our usual 9:30 star with a share out at noon. If you are not an Arboretum member reach out to me and we can arrange to carpool.

We’ll be taking a “mini-break” while I do some traveling, and return on Tuesday, October 8th at the UNCA Botanical Gardens. More information to follow.

For those that might be interested, here’s a link to an upcoming plein air festival in Franklin. https://www.franklinuptowngallery.com/plein-air-event  Also passing this along. Since this is not an APAP event, please direct any questions to Erich Huebner at madcoarts@gmail.com  (Sending your queries to me will mostly guarantee you a wrong answer. 😉 )
Some information about the Festival:
“If you have not already done so, please email images of your work to this email address. If possible, please include your last name in the image title. For now, a maximum of 5 images per artist, please. This doesn’t mean we will necessarily be able to hang all 5, but that’s about the max we can process. We plan to jury the work by October 12, so please submit work before then. And feel free to share this info with artist friends.
The show is open to artists and photographers who would like to exhibit and sell their work. Pastoral landscapes, farms, barns are all acceptable. Anything that is sold will be 50% to the artist / photographer (the rest is split 30 / 20 between Madison County Arts Council and the Appalachian Barn Alliance.
Please let me know if you have any other questions..
Thanks !
Erich Hubner
Program Director
Madison County Arts Council
(828)649-1301
www.madisoncountyarts.com

Coming up …
I have finally mapped out what I think will be our paint out events through Thanksgiving. I know better than to think weather and other stuff might not get in the way but you can at least mark your calendars and plan accordingly.
Up and Coming paint outs.
October 8th (Thursday) UNCA Botanical Gardens
October 13th (Tuesday) Zealandia Castle
October 22 (Thursday) Walnut Cove Overlook
October 27 (Tuesday) Riverside Cemetery
November 6-8 Montford Plein Air Festival Fall Edition
November 12th (Thursday) Montreat Conference Center
November 17th (Tuesday) The Park at Flat Rock

Whew! I will send out another newsletter in about two weeks, with more specific information for the events listed above.
Enjoy the cooler temperatures and as always, be good to yourself and those around you.
James

Trip to Asheville Art Museum – March 12, 2026

If you haven’t checked out Asheville Art Supply in the previous Cheap Joe’s location, be sure to do so. I am incredibly impressed with the work the new owners and returning staff have done to ensure we have an independent art supply store in our area. They have great plans to make this store the best it can be, so please be sure to support them. We are so fortunate to have a locally owned place to buy the tools we need from knowledgeable folks.

Highlights from “Y” not make art with kids?

From James: Thanks to Woodfin YMCA staff member Ashley Phillips for helping to organize things, making a last minute supply run, and taking these photos.
Great fun painting with kids and their families at the YMCA on Beaverdam Rd. All photos shared with permission.
From Deborah Hughes: We brought our granddaughter Iris along to the the paint out at the YMCA Saturday. It was an everything, everywhere all at once kind of happening. Kids getting into paint running around, a melt down or two, some fire ants. But a lot of fun was had and the snacks, pizza, and watermelon were very welcome. This 12 x 12 oil is very different composite illustration in which I strive to capture the essence of the morning.

Be sure to also check out the events sponsored by the Hendersonville Plein Air Painters, found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/381293125729349, as well as our friends in Haywood County ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063680940353) Lots of opportunities to meet folks and plein air paint.

Please note: Unless otherwise stated, all events begin at 9:30 and finish up with an optional sharing at noon. This is not a “critique”, but rather an opportunity to meet other members and see what they’ve done.

In the spirit of friendship I’d like to gently remind folks to please limit side conversations during our sharing time. I fully understand the need to socialize at our paint outs, but I also want to be respectful of the artists who are sharing their efforts, as well as those who have diminished hearing or soft voices. Let’s all do a bit better!

Helene

Yesterday (October 19th) I made my first trip into the River Arts District. I thought I was prepared for the level of destruction but it’s far worse than I could have imagined. Please keep all those artists in your thoughts, and look for the many ways we can help and support them in this most difficult of times.

The Asheville Artists Network Facebook Page I co-moderate has been a great resource for those who need help. If you’re unfamiliar with us, we can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ashevilleartscene

Stay well friends. Together, we will get through this. I firmly believe our city and the arts community will emerge stronger than ever.