Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

In the far reaches of Maine lies a jewel in the crown of summertime craft programs. Jim and I had known about Haystack Mountain School of Crafts for years but had never visited the campus. Almost eight hours from our Hudson Valley home we made our way across the State of Maine to Deer Island last month. We certainly were not disappointed.

When you want to study at the highest level in clay, glass, fiber, metal, and the spoken/written word in the most beautiful setting imaginable, Haystack is the place. Nestled amongst the craggy cliffs of the Maine coast in significant postwar modern architecture, Haystack pays homage to creativity and human potential through the arts. Founded in 1950 it was developed as an experiment in creative education and community. What Haystack has grown into over the years as a place of adventure where new ideas can be tested and explored in a safe supportive environment. The sense of community and learning new things is palpable.

On the day of our tour we were included in a delicious lunch in a main community room overlooking the ocean; what a serene spot. As we started our tour we noticed every workshop we visited was situated in such a way to experience the open air and ocean nearby.

We learned most students stay on campus to fully immerse themselves for a few weeks. Teachers do likewise and make themselves available well into the evening. The evenings are also filled with lively conversations and lectures with guest artists. What a compelling place.