Summer 2026

Next Event!

September 10 (Thursday) Bailey Mountain Preserve
889 Forest St, Mars Hill, NC 28754
MAP

Changing this week to Bailey Mountain Preserve, located at 889 Forest St, Mars Hill, NC 28754. Just 20 minutes north of downtown this spot offers some great views, newly refurbished barns, and an abundance of wildflowers. Same date and time: This Thursday, September 10th, meeting at 9:30 and sharing out around noon. Anyone coming from the south is welcome to carpool with me from my house at 432 Olivette Rd, 28804. Please be there by 9.
The forecast for Thursday morning is mid to upper 70s with a 30% chance of rain. Finally a bit of a cool down.

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.


September 2026

James Cassara – September, 2025

From James:

art supply sale – September 13 from 12-4

Group member Gina Linton missginabee@verizon.net asked me to pass along the following art supply sale, a way to help a good cause and pick up some bargains.

My women’s group (PEO Sisterhood) is having a used art supply sale. We are raising money for women’s scholarships. Our chapter provides a scholarship for high school senior women who meet our qualifications. PEO at large also has several scholarships to which we contribute. The sale will be at the home of Nancy Ahern on Sunday, September 13 from 12-4. Nancy’s address is 67 French Willow Dr, Asheville. We will be serving cookies and punch for those who are shopping 🙂

Since this is being held at Nancy’s home, I would appreciate knowing who is planning to show up! You are welcome to share my email address and phone number. Either prior notice or same day notice is fine with me. I think there will be some good deals. Nancy has done some beautiful work and am sure there will be some of her art on display.

I hope that some Plein Air painters will be able to attend, get some good deals, and contribute to a worthy cause!

Here’s a list of what is being offered:
Painting or Craft
Approximately 270 tubes of professional oil paint: Blick, Gamblin, Grumbacher, Holbein, Old
Holland, Permalba, Richeson, Sennelier, Utrecht, Winsor & Newton
Dozens of short and long- handled brushes in hog bristle, goat hair, and synthetic bristles:
round, bright, flat, chisel, fan, script writer, blender, scrubber, etc. Multiple sizes. Also several
bird feathers to paint with and sponge brushes.
10 holders for brushes (late sale items as I’ll be using them for sale display)
2 plastic/metal drawer units for paint storage (also late sale item as drawers will display paints
during sale hours) one is a 6-drawer unit, other is a 10-drawer model
Assorted pallet knives.
Linseed oil
Brush washer.
2 large paint savers
Large color wheel
Analogous color wheel
2 portable easels, one is Soltek professional
Large masonite (?) boards to extend your work surface or easel
1 tote for paints and accessories
10 frames
Canvases
1 24×30
4 20×24 inch: 2 are Blick Premier museum profile
1 18×24 inch: Blick Premier museum profile
3 16×20 inch
6 12×12 inch
2 9×12 inch
2 12×14 inch
2 12×16 inch
16×20 inch canvas pad
9×11 inch canvas pad
Pad of smooth heavy paper for drawing with ink(s)
2 ink pens
Large roll of butcher paper (nice for backing a canvas when framing)

Large poster board
36 in high tri-fold cardboard display opens to 48 in?
Graphite and charcoal drawing pencils
Assorted erasers, blenders, stubs and sharpeners
Electric eraser
Pastel drawing pencils (Please note that pastel residue is toxic)
24×36 inch rotary cutting board and rotary cutter.
Large clips to attach reference material to board or easel surface
Glue pen, scissors,
Mounting sticky putty
Picture frame bumpers
Picture Hanging stuff
Electric Dremel
Drixel 6-piece buffing, polishing and cutting compound sticks.
Ribbons for gift wrapping or crafts, some double-faced satin
Decorative gift bags
Wrapping paper
Colored tissue paper
Many book on art, a few craft books

So that’s it, friends. Mark your calendars, and please let Gina missginabee@verizon.net know if you plan to attend. Happy hunting!

Upcoming Activities:

September 10 (Thursday) Bailey Mountain Preserve
September 15 (Tuesday) Missed Path Sanctuary
September 24 (Thursday)  RR Station in Black Mountain
October 3 (Saturday) Montreat College
October 8 (Thursday) UNCA Botanical Gardens
October 16-18 Montford Plein Air Festival Fall Edition … (has been moved to November … more info soon)
October 22 (Thursday) Walnut Cove Overlook
October 27 (Tuesday) Riverside Cemetery

Some changes in our schedule, as I try to map out the final weeks of our plein air season. It remains a juggling act to try and make all the pieces fit and I do appreciate everyone’s understanding.

First off, this week’s proposed paint out at Zealandia has been moved. Despite several emails and phone calls I have not received confirmation of our arrival, making me wonder if there are some management changes taking place. We’ll instead pivot to Bailey Mountain Preserve, located at 889 Forest St, Mars Hill, NC 28754. Just 20 minutes north of downtown this spot offers some great views, newly refurbished barns, and an abundance of wildflowers. Same date and time: This Thursday, September 10th, meeting at 9:30 and sharing out around noon. Anyone coming from the south is welcome to carpool with me from my house at 432 Olivette Rd, 28804. Please be there by 9.
The forecast for Thursday morning is mid to upper 70s with a 30% chance of rain. Finally a bit of a cool down.

Which brings me to another point. The record setting heat we’ve experienced also affects our schedule. I planned for more afternoon outings but that is typically the hottest part of the day. I’ve also had to be more cognizant of how much shade is provided at the sites we paint; yet another factor to consider.

The following week we return to the amazing Missed Path Sanctuary, located at 31 Mountain Springs Ln , Candler , NC , 28715. Because the owners, who are fabulous hosts, need the morning to care for the horses, we’ll begin at noon and paint until 3. When you arrive please park in the field just before the covered bridge. If you have a cart for your painting gear I’d bring it along, as some of the best spots are a bit of a walk. I will be there at 11:45 to direct traffic. Again, anyone wanting to carpool should be at my place at 11:15. Co-owner Mike has asked us to share out by the house so he can provide us with drinks and refreshments. More information on Missed Path can be found at https://www.missedpathsanctuary.org

Looking ahead: Due to a conflict on my part I am moving the Saturday, September 26 event at the Black Mtn Railroad Depot, to Thursday the 24th. I somehow managed to schedule three commitments for the morning, with another in the afternoon. What was I thinking? That event will be at our regular 9:30 to noon time.

We’ll instead have a Saturday paint out on October 3rd, at Montreat College. It’s a lovely spot to paint and one we had to postpone from earlier this season. Hopefully the fall colors will have begun to arrive. I will be sending out parking information in our next newsletter.

Thanks,
James

Looking ahead:
Thursday the 10th is tentatively set for Zealandia Castle (I’m waiting on confirmation) and Tuesday the 15th finds us at the beautiful Woodfin Community Garden, a new site that I’ve been volunteering with for the past 20 months. It’s a place near and dear to my heart and one I hope you’ll embrace. We’ll then wrap up September with a Saturday visit on the 26th to the RR Station in Black Mountain. I may have a commitment in the morning so unless I can adjust my schedule let’s plan on making this an afternoon event. Details on these paint-outs will be forthcoming.

Big News:
If you participated in the inaugural Montford Plein Air Festival you know how successful it was. Over 65 artists gathered for three days of painting in one of Asheville’s most historic and beautiful areas. Organizer Matt Levins has announced plans for a fall edition, taking place the weekend of October 16-18, with a rain date of November 6-8. Details can be found at https://www.montfordarts.com

More stuff:
Besides the Montford Plein Air Festival here’s a few ideas for November, dates to be determined: A Saturday trip to the Greenville Art Museum and painting thereabouts. An evening paint out at Riverside Cemetery, and a trip to beautiful Saluda (30 minutes south of Asheville) where I spent yesterday sketching. It’s a great place to paint, visit a gallery or two, and enjoy lunch.

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.