Summer 2026

Next Event!

 July 14th (Tuesday) Beaver Lake
MAP

On Tuesday July 14th we’ll gather at Beaver Lake in North Asheville. I drove by this morning and the rains have greatly reawakened the wildflowers. We’ll meet at the end of the lake closest to Wembley Rd. There is some parking at the bird sanctuary but the lot there is often full. My suggestion is to park along either Wembley or Marlborough Rd. and cross at the crossing sign. There’s a light to alert traffic to the presence of pedestrians so if you are crossing Merrimon Ave. that’s the safest place to do so. We’ll follow our usual schedule of starting at 9:30 and sharing out around noon. There’s a 35% chance of morning showers but I think we’ll be okay. For the morning we’ll be joined by the lovely folks from the Open Hearts Art Center, whose mission is to represent and empower adults with disabilities to connect to and reach their full potential through the arts. I love the work they do and the joy these individuals bring to our paint outs. They are delightful!

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.


July 2026

Karl Bostwick – July 2025

From James:

Upcoming Activities:

July 14th (Tuesday) Beaver Lake
July 18th (Saturday) Marshall
July 23 (Thursday) Leicester Library Community Garden
July 28 (Tuesday) Oak and Grist Distilling 4-8pm
August 4 (Tuesday) NC Arboretum
August 13 (Thursday) Bloom Flower Garden Black Mtn.
August 18 (Tuesday) Wall St. Downtown
August 27 (Thursday) Montreat College (This may be subject to change depending on when the students return).

As I write this on a rainy Sunday afternoon, taking a break from working in my studio, I find myself grateful for the much needed rain and for the experience of putting brush/pen/pencil or whatever medium you prefer to paper or canvas. I consider myself fortunate that I get to do this and I bet you feel the same.

I again apologize for missing last week’s outing at the Carl Sandburg House, and my lack of clear communication. I primarily get out the word via our FB page, our website, and these newsletters, but last minute changes are difficult. In this case I simply overbooked and was hitting a brick wall of tiredness. I need to learn how to better pace myself!

This week we have two events, and I fully intend to be at both. On Tuesday July 14th we’ll gather at Beaver Lake in North Asheville. I drove by this morning and the rains have greatly reawakened the wildflowers. We’ll meet at the end of the lake closest to Wembley Rd. There is some parking at the bird sanctuary but the lot there is often full. My suggestion is to park along either Wembley or Marlborough Rd. and cross at the crossing sign. There’s a light to alert traffic to the presence of pedestrians so if you are crossing Merrimon Ave. that’s the safest place to do so. We’ll follow our usual schedule of starting at 9:30 and sharing out around noon. There’s a 35% chance of morning showers but I think we’ll be okay. For the morning we’ll be joined by the lovely folks from the Open Hearts Art Center, whose mission is to represent and empower adults with disabilities to connect to and reach their full potential through the arts. I love the work they do and the joy these individuals bring to our paint outs. They are delightful!

On Saturday we’ll stretch our legs a bit and head out to downtown Marshall. We’ll meet up in front of On Your Bike Coffee, located at 133 South Main Street, Unit 104. Alex Webber, who owns the business, hopes to be there and welcome us to her town. This is an opportunity for us to switch gears a bit (see what I did there?) and do more urban street scene painting. Fun Fact: The original name of this group was the Asheville Urban Painters, so in some ways we’ve come full circle! Due to the greater distance and expected warm temperatures I plan to arrive earlier than usual. Anyone wishing to carpool from my house (432 Olivette Rd, 28804) can meet me at 8:15 and we’ll head out. If you live in Weaverville and want to carpool message me and we can meet at the Publix parking lot at 8:40 or thereabout. I’d love us to stay in Marshall for lunch and help support their local businesses, so please consider doing so.

Looking ahead: We’ll wrap up the month with visits to the Leicester Library on Thursday, July 23rd, and a special afternoon (4-8) paint out at Oak and Grist Distilling in Black Mountain on Tuesday the 28th.

I hope to do some traveling shortly after that and may call upon a few folks to host events. I have all the dates set, but would hope someone can greet newcomers and facilitate the share out.

Until then, take care and may your week be as awesome as your favorite painting, 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.