DEER ISLE — Now in its 11th year, the Haystack High School Mentor Program is a proven complement to local art education, offering students at Deer Isle-Stonington High School and George Stevens Academy intensive artistic experiences working with mentors in their studios.

DEER ISLE — Now in its 11th year, the Haystack High School Mentor Program is a proven complement to local art education, offering students at Deer Isle-Stonington High School and George Stevens Academy intensive artistic experiences working with mentors in their studios.

Founded in 1950, the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts is an internationally known institution offering intensive studio-based workshops in diverse media including clay, glass, metals, paper, blacksmithing, weaving and woodworking. Programs range from short workshops to two-week sessions and anyone may participate, from beginners to advanced professionals. The mentor program is among Haystack’s program geared to the local community.

This year’s mentor program, which began in February, involved students working with nine artists from Deer Isle, Stonington and the Blue Hill Peninsula. The program culminated with an exhibit of the students’ work at Haystack’s Center for Community Programs, 22 Church St. in Deer Isle. The show opened April 3 and runs through May 1. Exhibit hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The mentor program this year is supported by a donor-advised fund of the Maine Community Foundation and a SMART (Schools Make Arts Relevant Today) grant from the Maine Arts Commission with additional support from Haystack.

For complete story, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.