In 2024, Take Two had the pleasure of filming a documentary for Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. This is the story of how the Haystack documentary came to be.
Written by Ang, founder of Take Two
This is a story of connection, of trusting the threads that tug at your heart, and of setting an intention - because sometimes all it takes is one wish to set something extraordinary in motion.
For us, the spark that would turn into the Haystack documentary ignited on a filming trip in New England, USA. Everywhere we went, we heard about a near-mythical retreat for artists perched on the wild, rugged coast of Maine. It was a place where artists immersed themselves in art, architecture, creation, and community.
The spark was first fanned by Wen Redmond, a Take Two tutor and former Haystack student, who kept prodding us during our shoot together: “Are you going to Haystack?”
Haystack wasn’t part of our plan. But as I listened to Wen spin stories of fiery sunsets, total creative immersion, and the lifelong friends she’d made during her program at Haystack, my heart was hooked.
It wasn’t just one chance mention that drew us to Haystack, though; it was a series of serendipitous signs that became impossible to ignore.
One evening, my husband and I were at an exhibition opening to see Jeannet Leendertse: Seaweed Baskets in a small coastal town called York, when we were introduced to a man named Ned. We got to chatting, and before long Haystack came up. By now, Haystack was beginning to feel like a familiar friend.
“Will you visit Haystack?” Ned asked.
“If you do, you can visit me,” said Jeannet, as she lives close by.
I think by now the only people who didn’t yet realise we’d soon be standing on Haystack’s shore were us!
When Ned mentioned he used to work at Haystack and was on the lookout for somebody to deliver a piece of his art to a technician friend currently at Haystack, we indulged in the daydream for a moment. However, since I couldn’t promise we’d be able to return Ned’s piece if we didn’t go, we reluctantly declined. We parted ways, happy to make another artistic connection in the world.
… But I couldn’t get Haystack out of my head.
How do you spend 24 hours of spare time between filming and travelling? If you’re my husband, you hunt down the best lobster rolls in New England. But if you’re me, you go on a spontaneous adventure.
After a quick google, we learned that Haystack is only open to the public for a one-hour tour on Wednesdays. And it juuust so happened that Wednesday perfectly coincided with the small window of opportunity we had up our sleeves.
“That’s it,” I declared. “We’re going to Haystack.”
A ten-hour drive for a one-hour taste of Haystack? It was definitely worth it.
I’m a firm believer in serendipity. That’s where the best creative discoveries show up! So when opportunities for unscheduled stops came up, I took them without hesitation.
Our first stop was Portland, Maine, to chase down a tip from a community member following our filming adventures. “Cove Street Arts,” they insisted. A local artist, Lissa Hunter, was exhibiting and we were promised her work was a must-see.
We weren’t disappointed! Lissa’s exhibition, Intimate Objects of Suspect Utility, was an absolute delight. I immediately fell in love with her artwork - especially her wall of spoons, which had caused quite a stir (pun intended) and were selling quickly. One in particular, a black ceramic ladle with a coiled handle, was so tempting, but I couldn’t justify treating myself then. Instead, I purchased an exhibition book and carefully tucked it into my bag as a wonderful memento of Lissa’s captivating work. As soon as I arrived home, I placed it close by on my desk, where it remains to this day.
We pressed on up the coast, and over the three bridges that connect Deer Isle to the mainland staying overnight in a small fishing village called Stonington. We’d arrived just before tourist season kicked in, so nothing was open for dinner except a convenience store. We had red wine and two-minute noodles for dinner, which made for a strangely memorable meal. The next morning, we caffeinated ourselves at 44 Coffee and continued on to Haystack.
Magic. That’s the one word everyone uses when they talk about Haystack, and the moment I arrived I knew there was no better word for it. As you enter, the forest reveals hidden buildings nestled among granite boulders, leading to a stunning staircase that divides the campus and draws you toward the ocean’s flag deck. Little did I know that these stairs would become my gym, and I would climb them countless times, lugging heavy camera equipment in the year to come.
Along with about 20 other visitors, we were greeted by a lovely tour guide who showed us around the campus, explaining its history and vision. I was especially moved by Haystack’s mission to provide a supportive and inclusive community. Something that is close to my heart. One way they do this is by accepting students into their workshops by an application process; students are selected to ensure there is a balance between first-time and past participants, there is a broad geographical distribution with a wide range of from varied backgrounds and skill levels—from beginners to advanced professionals—who have a clear sense of purpose as to why they want to take the workshop/s they have selected. Not everyone will be accepted and get their first choice of workshop, but from the stories I have heard, no one walks away disappointed.
During the tour, a man with curly hair and funky glasses passed by. We exchanged a smile, and something in me just knew this wouldn’t be our last encounter. Later, I’d learn he was Perry Price, Haystack’s new director.
After the tour, we chatted with one of the administrative coordinators. I asked, candidly, how one might come back to film one day. My heart fluttered when they reacted positively. No concrete plans were made, but the seed was planted. I’d set my intention.
On the drive back to Boston, (and after a visit with Jeannet in her home studio) I was bursting with inspiration and gratitude. That single hour at Haystack felt like a promise of something more.
A few weeks later, I emailed Lissa Hunter, introducing myself and asking if she’d be a Friday Feature Artist for Fibre Arts Take Two. As fate would have it, she’d discovered Take Two through one of her students at around the same time we’d visited her exhibition at Cove Street Arts! When I mentioned how much I’d loved my hour at Haystack, Lissa replied that she was a lifetime trustee there. My jaw dropped. That was a sign if I ever saw one.
Our Friday Feature interview with Lissa was wonderful. We went on to discuss creating a signature online course with her, and soon realised we had to film part of it at Haystack; it’s been such a rich component of her life and career. As a gesture of thanks, we asked the new director, Perry Price, if we could create a documentary about Haystack to honour the work they do for the arts community in the U.S. and the ripple effects that go far beyond.
By May 2024, I found myself spending four glorious days and three nights at Haystack, filming. It’s an experience I can hardly describe. We witnessed those legendary sunsets, I finally met Brad (Ned’s technician friend) - and apologised for not delivering Ned’s artwork! - and recognised the curly-haired man who’d passed me on our first tour: Perry Price.
Our intention for the Haystack documentary was to capture the stories of volunteers and spotlight the hidden labor that goes into preparing such a special place. We wanted the documentary to be just as inspiring for newcomers discovering Haystack for the first time as it is nostalgic for those who’ve already experienced it. But it wasn’t easy. I was full of nerves filming such a revered art school. Hauling camera gear around that campus for three days was exhausting. And in my worst moment, I accidentally deleted a morning’s worth of footage. I’m still kicking myself for it. Still, we pushed on. We were there, and we did our best. As Walter, the Facilities Director at Haystack said to us during the pre-session maintenance… “if it were easy… it wouldn't be fun”.
Today, we’re left with memories that will last a lifetime and, hopefully, a documentary that will be loved by those who contributed, give those who already know and love Haystack a sense of belonging and nostalgia, and for those who haven't visited yet… maybe it will invoke a sense of anemoia, encouraging them to take the drive and volunteer at Haystack.
Of course! Even if it takes another 20 years, I’ll be back. Next time, though, I hope to return as a student. I want to immerse myself for two full weeks in Haystack’s inclusive art community and soak up the knowledge you can only experience when you allow yourself the time and space to create, connect, and take risks.
My message to anyone reading this is simple: If you get a sign, don’t ignore it. Follow the thread. Every step can lead you toward magical places and people who are changing the world for the better. The Haystack documentary and Lissa Hunter’s signature online course are living proof that when you set an intention - and open yourself to serendipity - truly remarkable things can happen.
Oh, and what about the ladle I fell in love with…?
As it turned out, it didn’t sell through the exhibition, and was there waiting for me to purchase from Lissa during the filming of her signature course!