The Downeast Maine Arts Residency at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts represents a unique convergence of our expansive national network of makers and artists with the Deer Isle community. This residency program integrates digital fabrication with STEAM concepts, creating a dynamic space for a selected group of artists to delve into new crafting techniques and digital technologies.

Our inaugural cohort, drawn from Haystack's national network of artists and makers, brings diverse perspectives and skills to our local setting. By inviting these talents to our Fab Lab, we offer them an opportunity to advance their craft through tools like 3D printers and CNC milling machines and engage with the Deer Isle community deeply. Through this integration, we aim to create a mutually enriching experience: the artists gain a unique context for their work, while the community benefits from exposure to innovative practices and ideas.

Public workshops, exhibitions, and educational programs are key components of this residency, fostering a space where the creativity of our visiting artists and the curiosity of the local community intersect.

The Downeast Maine Arts Residency at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support for Fab Lab initiatives from AmeriCorps, Maine Arts Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Onion Foundation, and Windgate Foundation.

Residents

SESSION 1| February 26–March 8

SESSION 2 | March 25–April 6

Janet Hollingsworth is Vice President of STEAM and Innovation at The Possible Zone, developing Maker Education pathways for under-resourced communities informed by 10+ years’ experience in engineering, architecture, creative technologies, woodworking, librarianship, and education. Her passion lies at the intersection of inclusive design, traditional handcrafts, digital technologies, project-based learning, and community activism.

Robert Hart has his roots in rural Indiana, in a family where science, education, craft and self-sufficiency were important.  He studied Physics and Music in college, and earned a PhD in experimental physics at Cornell University.  He has worked as a researcher and teacher, most recently on the staff of Harvard University, where he developed Physics laboratory curricula and created a student makerspace.  At Harvard he engaged students in learning science and technology by making and measuring. Through personal practice and mentoring, Rob continues to explore the ways in which the tools of digital technology can inspire learning in science and promote involvement in craft and personal fabrication.

Shaunta Butler is a designer, artist, craftsperson, and educator, currently based in Seattle, WA. Butler is a lecturer at the University of Washington, an instructor at Boston Architectural College, and a partner at an inclusive collaborative community design firm 6B workshop. She grew up in Boise, ID, and holds degrees from Colorado State University and Harvard University's Graduate School of Design. She has exhibited, practiced, and taught in Europe, Asia, and North America. Comment end  

Ryan McDermott is currently the Program Director and Makerspace Manager for The Walter Hive, an Arizona-based arts and education nonprofit, and for three years was the president of HeatSync Labs, a community maker space in Mesa, AZ. McDermott has extensive experience building large-scale art and advertising installation pieces and has worked on projects ranging from animatronics to large/complex fire effects.

Each session will host a unique group of makers working in the lab and offer programs for local community members to engage with. All programs are free of charge and will take place at Center for Community Programs at 22 Church Street, Deer Isle, Maine; talks and presentations will be recorded and made available to the public.

For additional programs traking place this winter in the Fab Lab, please visit our Community Labs page.

MEET YOUR MAKER

Thursday, February 29 | 5:00–6:00 pm
Thursday, March 28 | 5:00–6:00 pm

Drop-in, no registration required

During the first week of each session, the residents will present their work and background to the public. These will be a great opportunity to learn about the unique and interesting backgrounds of our makers, ask questions, and learn more about their process.

MAKE & TAKES

Friday, March 8 | 5:00–7:00 pm
Friday, April 5 | 5:00–7:00 pm

Registration Required - Click to sign up for Make & Takes

Each group will also host a Make & Take style program on the second week of the session. The format of these are short project-based workshops where you get to learn a new skill or technique and take something home with you. They are intended to be beginner friendly. For more information about Make & Takes, please visit the Community Labs page.