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Special note at press time: Haystack Mountain School of Crafts has suspended all programming for the 2020 season due
to the world health situation. Please keep them in mind for future workshops or contributions.
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

With thoughtful, evolving programming, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts enters
it’s 70th year serving a diverse community of makers from Maine and away.

By Kate Shaffer

Phot s courtesy of Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

Secreted away 15 minutes east of Route 15 on Deer Isle, at the end of the winding view-studded
road to Sunshine, is one of Maine’s cultural jewels – a cluster of nearly four dozen cabins, studios,
and dormitories that since have served as residence and workshop to thousands of creators
from all over the world. Haystack Mountain School of Crafts offers no degrees or certifications, but
over the decades emerged as one of the most respected and progressive artist residencies in the
country. The 40-acre campus on Stinson’s Neck boasts a wooded compound designed by renowned
architect Edward Larrabee Barnes and has been host, inspiration, and teaching ground for artists
such as Dale Chihuly, M.C. Richards, and Anni Albers.
Every year, Haystack offers a dynamic program of workshops, lectures, residencies, and conferences to locals and visitor who want
to further explore their chosen craft, or discover a new one.

The bulk of the school’s programming is made up of six one to two-week summer sessions in blacksmithing, fibers, wood, metal,
graphics, ceramics, and glass. The workshops, taught by a rotating faculty of professional artists and crafters, cater to all skill levels.
Most sessions also feature a visiting artist in a completely different field. For example, for the 2020 season Haystack will host three
visiting artists who will invite students to participate in informal explorations in Performance Craft, Mushroom Hunting, and Art
Hospitality.

The School is also well-known for their two-week Open Studio Residency where 50 juried participants explore their craft with uninter-
rupted studio time. A panel chooses the participants from nearly 500 applicants each year, but once chosen, participants attend the resi-
dency at no cost. Like many of the free and low-cost programs at Haystack, the Open Studio Residency is funded by an endowment.

Clay studio at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Photo by Audi Culver.

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