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Become a Champion of the Arts!

Embark on a transformative journey as a Champion of the Arts with Cashiers Public Art Initiative.

There are three compelling ways for you to make a lasting impact on the cultural fabric of Cashiers:

Fund existing installations: Currently “Diversions” by Kyle Lusk at Slab Town, is on loan from the Bascom Sculpture Trail until 2024. We seek champions to help transform these temporary exhibits into permanent installations, ensuring their enduring contribution to Cashiers’ artistic landscape.
Memorialize or honor with a public sculpture: Collaborate with the Cashiers Public Art Initiative to fund a public sculpture in memory of a loved one or in honor of a family member. This unique opportunity allows you to actively participate in selecting both the sculpture and its location, creating a meaningful and lasting tribute while contributing to the flourishing arts culture in Cashiers.
Contribute to future installations: Support the Cashiers Public Art Fund to acquire new sculptures for additional sites in central Cashiers. With two chosen sites and more in development, your contribution will play a pivotal role in expanding our public art collection.

Join us in these endeavors, including the exciting projects in the pipeline. Seize the opportunity to be a driving force behind the artistic renaissance of Cashiers.

Become a Champion of the Arts today and contribute to the enduring legacy of our community.

Your support is instrumental in shaping Cashiers as a cultural epicenter and fostering a rich, vibrant future.

Diversions by Kyle Lusk

As viewers interact with this piece, it changes depending on where the viewer stands. The focal point is the circular cut-out that acts a a frame or portal. within this circle there may be blue sky, trees, or clouds, each emphasizing the natural world and changing focus of the piece. The organic nature of the cor-ten steel grounds the sculpture, the texture and color making it a part of the native environment. The shape suggests a cutting tool, relevant to the history of the timber trade in the area, but also relevand to this site, home of 4 restaurants!

Albert by Doug McAbee

Albert was purchased by the Boys and Girls Club in April of 2024. This piece provides teaching opportunities, as well as expanding experiences with art that are not accessible to club participants.

Doug McAbee, Artist Statement, 2023 :
I was taught the power of laughter and humor by my father and I seek to channel that power into my creative work. Knowing that art has the power to change how people think, I have chosen to communicate positive and hopeful messages to my audience through my work. Often using imaginative creatures, my work focuses on the challenges that face all humans regardless of race, gender, or class. These issues are communicated through narratives and while the problems and dualities are acknowledged, there is always a sense of hope that we will overcome these challenges with kindness and community. As viewers engage with the works of art they will connect with the absurdity, the liveliness, and the humor in the work.Whether for a few seconds or perhaps longer, my hope is that connection will create change.

Vision Cashiers and The Bascom

The Bascom is a non-profit corporation seeking to build essential creative skills for area youth and adults, increase professional development opportunities for artists and educators and become a key player in the creative community of Western North Carolina. In 2023, Vision Cashiers established a working partnership with The Bascom to install outdoor sculptures in Cashiers for a period of two years. The task force is particularly interested in finding art for the community-based WALK CASHIERS initiative.

The Bascom’s Biennial Outdoor Sculpture Program consists of a widely publicized call to artists to submit outdoor sculptures for consideration. Five are selected for The Bascom campus and two for Cashiers. The Bascom recommends a number of sculptures to Vision Cashiers and works with the Public Art Task Force to select the strongest fit for selected sites. The determination of which sculptures are selected and where they are placed is solely the decision of the Vision Cashiers Public Art Task Force.

This project benefits artists who respond to a juried call for work and visitors and residents of Cashiers, and the Plateau, who will experience the work which will promote artistic amenities.

Vision Cashiers coordinates with property owners regarding the site and installation of the sculpture and assumes all costs associated with siting and pouring the concrete pad for the sculptures. The Bascom provides funding for the artists which includes a $1500 honorarium. Additionally, both Vision Cashiers and The Bascom enter into an agreement with the property owners which provides for mutual indemnification. The Bascom follows its standard protocol for the sale of any work on display during the exhibition of the sculptures. Should an artwork on exhibit sell during the period, the artist will receive 60% of the sale proceeds and The Bascom will receive 40% per The Bascom’s standard agreement with exhibiting artists. The price of the sculpture is determined by the artist.

The Benefits of Public Art

Public art reflects and reveals our society, adds meaning to our cities and uniqueness to our communities.
Public art humanizes the built environment and invigorates public spaces.
Public art is freely accessible. It is not confimed to galleries or museums.
Public art contributes to a community’s identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging, and enhances the quality of life for its residents and visitors.
Art brings people together physically and culturally, through its capacity to tell a community’s shared story, to inspire reflection, and form connections that transcend differences.
The presence of arts is linked to increased neighborhood livability, community identity, and social wellbeing, and to a sense of pride and community ownership.