Winter 2025

Next Event!

May, 20 (Tuesday) –  Bullington Gardens
95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC 28792
MAP

On Tuesday, May 20th, we’ll be teaming with the Hendersonville group for a joint paint out at Bullington Gardens, located at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC 28792. There is ample parking, restroom facilities, and an incredible array of colorful flowers. You can visit their website at https://www.bullingtongardens.org I am really looking forward to this one.

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

Check out … Urban Sketchers of Asheville on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629767924202915 …Note that they are having “coffee shop sketch” at Recess Coffee and Baked Goods on February 1st in Black Mountain!

 

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 2025

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.

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

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.


MAY

Ellen Haack – May 2022

From James:

First, thanks to those who made it to last week’s afternoon gathering at Reems Creek Nursery. It’s a lovely place to paint but it seems every time we go there it’s on the hottest day of the week!

On Tuesday, May 20th, we’ll be teaming with the Hendersonville group for a joint paint out at Bullington Gardens, located at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC 28792. There is ample parking, restroom facilities, and an incredible array of colorful flowers. You can visit their website at https://www.bullingtongardens.org I am really looking forward to this one.

Next week, on Thursday May 29th, we’ll be heading east to downtown Black Mountain. We’ll be parking at or near the Old Depot Arts and Crafts Center, located at 207 Sutton Ave, Black Mountain, NC 28711. The Depot itself doesn’t open until 11, but once it does it is definitely worth checking out. There are so many fine galleries and eateries in Black Mountain for us to enjoy after we paint.

Moving into June: On Tuesday June 3rd we return to the always popular UNCA Botanical Gardens. I recently visited there and I’m glad to report that the gardens are largely restored post-Helene. Wonderful news!

Saturday June 7th is the Montford Garden Tour. This is not an official APAP event but a great opportunity to bring a sketchbook and capture some of the most beautiful gardens in our area. Tickets can be purchased at https://montfordgardentour.org There are a number of invited plein air artists who will be setting up and painting, but we are welcome to come and sketch/watercolor/join in the fun.

Later in June: I am working on a firm date for June Bug Retro and hope to have that nailed down this week. I will be out of town for a few days towards the middle of the month but on Thursday June 26th, come help me celebrate my 69th revolution around the sun with a paint out at Casa Cassara. I have been spending a lot of time and energy (as well as more than a few dollars!) on making my two acre slice of the world look better than ever, and I would love to share the fruit of that labor with the group.

That’s it for now. As always, be kind to yourself and others, and enjoy these beautiful late spring days.

5-29 (Thursday) Black Mountain RR Depot
6-3 (Tuesday) UNCA Botanical Gardens
6-7 (weekend) Montford Garden Tour
6-17 (Tuesday) Lake Julian Park
6-26 (Thursday) Casa Cassara
7-1 (Tuesday) – Blue Ridge Daylilies
7-8 (Tuesday) Olivette Farms
7-17 (Thursday) Corcoran Paige River Park
7-22 (Tuesday) Beaver Lake
7-31 (Thursday) TBD probably downtown Asheville
8-5 (Tuesday) River Arts District
8-14 (Thursday) Bailey Mountain Preserve
8-19 (Tuesday) TBD
8-28 (Thursday) TBD

 

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.

Scheduled events for May:
5-29 (Thursday) Black Mountain RR Depot

Looking ahead: we also have the Urban Sketchers Carolina Sketch Crawl, set for June 28th in lovely Forest City. While this is being hosted by the Urban Sketchers (of which I am also a member) the invitation is open to Plein Air Painters as well. If you plan to be part of the “formal” activities you need to pre-register. Details can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/uskasheville/permalink/2018743828638654.

That’s it for now. Keep those fingers crossed for good weather, stay positive, and as always be kind to yourself and those around you.

The Urban Sketchers of Asheville group will be hosting an event in Forest City, just 50 miles from Asheville, on June 28th. We will be having Urban Sketchers from Asheville, Charlotte, Greenville, and all points in between. If you’re interested in more information go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629767924202915
There is significant overlap between our two groups, so if folks want to carpool and paint/sketch, or just see what’s happening, it looks like a fun event.

That’s it for now. Despite the challenges I am committed to making 2025 the best season it can be. In the meantime be good to yourself and others.

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!

PennyCup Coffee – February 18, 2025

A nice gathering today at PennyCup. Thanks to all who made it, with a special welcome to newcomers Michael and Kelly.

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.

Zealandia – November 19, 2024

Thanks to everyone who made it out this morning to Zealandia. The weather was overcast but that made for some interesting skies. I look forward to folks posting their finished pieces.

Thanks to everyone who came out today (November 2, 2024, North Carolina Arboretum) to paint. Great fun!

June Bug Retro – September 5, 2024

A HUGE thanks to everyone who made it to June Bug on Thursday. Even in my absence it’s great to see the group continue to thrive. I’m equally grateful for the members who took photos and sent them my way. Nice to see a good turnout and happy smiles. (Photos take by S.B Viemeister & Shealy Thompson)

Lake Julian Park – August 27, 2024

From James Cassara: “I’m again overwhelmed by today’s turnout. 23 in all, including several of our friends from the Hendersonville Plein Air Painters group. Thanks to everyone for your continued support.”

From Susan Havey: “The Art League’s Hendersonville Plein Air Painters met up with the Asheville Plein Air Painters for a paint out at Lake Julian Park yesterday. We enjoyed a nice turn out and production of painted works. Looking forward to two more joint paint outs this season, and making new friends.”

Farm of Andrea Debevoise, Haw Creek – August 15, 2024

I’m still on cloud nine over the amazing turnout at our last paint out …Friends, you’ve outdone yourselves! 24 artists at the (August 15th) plein air gathering. It really feels like old times. Thanks over and again!

Some more photos from a great day of Painting!

UNCA Botanical Gardens – August 6, 2024

Thanks again to everyone who came out today to paint. Our second largest gathering of the year. A great mix of regulars, newcomers, an out of town visitor, and seldom seen but always welcome friends. What a fine day to paint and share ideas.
Remember, if you’re interested in having your work displayed at the North Asheville Library, please email me at jjcassara@gmail.com

Bailey Mountain – August 3, 2024

We had a wonderful turnout for our Saturday paint out at Bailey Mountain, a nice mix of regulars and two newcomers.
A special welcome to Julia and Mary, with hopes of seeing you both at many more events.

Charles D. Owen Park – July 30, 2024

Thanks as always to those who joined us for yesterday’s paint out at Charles D. Owen Park. The stormy weather kept our numbers down, and a few folks opted to leave early, but all in all it was a fun morning.