Monday Mornings at The Bascom Belong to Studio Alive, a Highlands Group Founded in 1980 and Revived in 2013

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  September 28, 2026

Studio Alive, a group of artists who draw from a live model, meets in The Bascom's Adult Studio in Highlands on select Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The group traces its roots back to 1980.

There is no class fee. Artists work in their medium of choice and share the cost of the model. Some members describe it as the highlight of their week.

What is Studio Alive at The Bascom?

Studio Alive is a group of artists who share a passion for drawing from live models. According to The Bascom, the group meets on select Mondays, year-round. The same page notes that Studio Alive will not meet during the month of March.

Member Muriel Kolb put it this way: "It is an assemblage without rules and with no 'leader' to make decisions. Artists do whatever they choose. No one criticizes, but offer help when requested."

Each winter, Studio Alive artists also get the chance to exhibit their work in The Bascom Education Gallery.

Who can join, and what does it cost?

The Bascom invites all interested artists, regardless of talent or ability. Bascom members may attend the Monday morning sessions, and while there is no class fee, participants share in the cost and acquisition of the model. That usually comes to $5 to $10 per person.

For some members, it has been a way back into art. Nancy Rampell said the group became her "primary motivator into getting back into something I used to love, painting." Cindy Vickery described Monday mornings as a chance to "shut down the noise from the outside world" and spend an entire morning being creative with friends.

How did Studio Alive get started?

In 1980, Highlands resident and artist Catherine Christie invited other local artists to her home studio in Mirror Lake to draw and paint from a live model. Everyone brought their own materials and shared equally in the cost of the model. Because the group always worked from a model, Christie named it Studio Alive.

It became a weekly event. As the group grew, retired architect and Miami/Highlands artist Dane Morgan offered his home studio as a new location. The group disbanded in 2007, not long after Morgan passed away. Christie revived it in 2013, and it now meets on The Bascom campus.

Can you become a model for Studio Alive?

Yes, and the group is regularly seeking models. You do not need to be a professional, and both clothed and nude models are needed. The Bascom lists Penny Bradley and Billy Love as contacts for anyone interested in modeling or learning more about the group.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Studio Alive at The Bascom cost?

There is no class fee. Artists share the cost of the model, which usually runs $5 to $10 per person, according to The Bascom.

When does Studio Alive meet?

Studio Alive meets in The Bascom's Adult Studio in Highlands on select Mondays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Bascom's page also notes that Studio Alive will not meet during the month of March.

Do I need art experience to join Studio Alive?

No. The Bascom says all interested artists are invited regardless of talent or ability, and participants can work in their medium of choice.