MCA is thrilled to announce the 2026 workshops for our annual Weekend Workshop at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. Our longest running program, the weekend includes three and a half days of dedicated studio time on the iconic Deer Isle campus with our exceptional instructors, fellow students, craft artists, and some fun after-hours programming.
Weekend dates: May 7 – 10, 2026
Registration opens: January 8, 2026 at noon
Registration Details:
- Opens: Thursday, January 8, at noon. Workshops fill quickly – some within minutes – so mark your calendars!
- Process: Participants must register online, using one email address per registrant.
- Selection: Choose your top two workshop and accommodation preferences. Placements are first-come, first-served, with waitlists created as options fill.
- Confirmation: Placement in a workshop or on the waitlist is based on your registration timestamp and will be confirmed by MCA staff within three days.
- Deposit: A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at registration (refundable only if not placed in a workshop by April 7).
- Membership Billing: Renew your 2026 MCA membership now to receive the discounted member rate at registration!
- Payment: An invoice for the balance will be sent within two weeks, with a payment deadline. Failure to pay or arrange a payment plan by the deadline will result in forfeiting your spot to someone on the waitlist.
For questions regarding registration or for more information please contact Simonne Feeney: simonne@mainecrafts.org / (207) 205-0791.
2026 Workshop Preview
Weekend Workshop Itinerary
Thursday
10:00 am -11:45 am: Arrival/Registration
12:00 pm: Lunch + Announcements from Haystack + MCA Teams
1:00 pm: Workshops begin
5:30 pm: Casual, Meet & Greet on top deck or around the fire
6:00 pm: Welcome and dinner
7:00 pm: Faculty Slide Presentations
Friday
8:00 am: Breakfast
8:30 am-5:00 pm: Workshops (Lunch at Noon)
6:00 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm: Instructor and Student Exhibition Opening/Reception in Gateway
Saturday
8:00 am Breakfast
8:30 am-5:00 pm: Workshops (Lunch at Noon)
6:00 pm: Dinner
After hours: Music Night in Dining Hall
Sunday
8:00 am: Breakfast
8:30 am-8:45 am: Remove personal belongings from cabins
8:45 am-11:00 am: Workshops
11:00 am-Noon: Studio walkthrough
11:50 am: Group photo on Main Deck Stairs
Noon: Lunch
1:00 pm: Departure
Know Before You Go:
Located on Stinson Neck, Haystack’s campus sits on a cliff overlooking Jericho Bay in the Atlantic Ocean. The campus spans forty wooded acres in the small island community of Deer Isle, Maine.
Campus
Participants stay in cabins designed by American architect Edward Larrabee Barnes, located across the upper, middle, and lower tiers of campus and connected by wooden walkways within close proximity to studios and dining hall. ADA-accessible housing is available on the upper tier. Campus buildings are unheated, and participants should be prepared for cold nights, all weather, and extended time in the great outdoors. Dogs and other pets, except for Service Animals, are not permitted on campus.
Studios
Haystack maintains purpose built studios for blacksmithing, ceramics, fiber, glass, graphics, metals, and woodworking. Each of these spaces has customized equipment and flexible floor plans to accommodate a variety of processes within specific disciplines. Studios are open 24 hours for work, though for safety issues some of the equipment may not be available past certain times of day. There is no Wifi in the studios or cabins.
Community Guidelines
MCA is grateful for its long-term partnership with Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and is excited to welcome you to their beautiful campus. The safety and well-being of our participants, staff, and instructors, and the care of Haystack’s delicate landscape, are very important to us. To help create a positive, respectful, and safe experience for everyone, all participants in MCA’s Weekend Workshops are asked to follow our community guidelines while on campus.
