Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts is a nonprofit organization located in Deer Isle, Maine, dedicated to promoting crafts and supporting artistic development. It was founded in 1950 and has since become an international center for craft education and innovation.

History

The school was originally located near Haystack Mountain in Montville, Maine, before relocating to Deer Isle in 1961. The Deer Isle campus, designed by noted architect Edward Larrabee Barnes, features a modernist architectural style and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005. The campus has received the American Institute of Architects' Twenty-five Year Award for its enduring design.

Programs

Haystack offers various programs to foster creativity and exploration in the craft field. The core programs include:

• Summer Workshops: These workshops last one to three weeks and are open to participants of all skill levels, covering disciplines such as blacksmithing, ceramics, fiber, glass, graphics, metals, and wood.
• Open Studio Residency: This highly competitive, two-week residency program provides artists with studio space and the opportunity to work in a supportive community. Participants can move among different studios and receive technical assistance.
• Fab Lab: The Haystack Fab Lab combines traditional crafts with digital fabrication tools like 3D printers and laser cutters, offering artists a space to innovate and experiment.
• Community Programs: Haystack also offers programs aimed at local communities, promoting arts engagement and development.

Architecture and Facilities

The campus is situated on a cliff overlooking Jericho Bay and covers forty wooded acres. It features six studio spaces for various crafts, a digital fabrication lab, and a visiting artist studio, along with a dining hall and auditorium. The purpose-built studios are equipped with customized equipment to support diverse creative processes.

Influence and Contributions

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts has been a significant institution in the craft world, hosting numerous renowned artists and craftspeople. It collaborates with other institutions like the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, fostering dialogue on the intersection of craft and technology. The school publishes annual monographs and hosts conferences to promote deeper understanding and innovation within the craft field.

Recognition

In 2016, Haystack was recognized as one of the significant craft places in America by Craft in America. A major exhibition in 2019 titled "In the Vanguard" highlighted the school's early history and contributions to the craft movement.