Shaping a Thriving and Collaborative Artistic Community

As part of her research on creative communities around the globe, Elizabeth Gatchell Klein Expressive Arts Chair Ellie Kreischer immersed this summer in a two-week workshop at Maine’s Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, made possible by the Paternotte Family Faculty Travel and Study GrantThe Paternotte grant, established by Nan Brewster Paternotte ’65, supports faculty professional development in the form of summer travel..

“I have the privilege of experiencing the joy and connection in the arts at Miss Hall’s every day,” Ellie said. “Students seek out our thriving creative community, gathering in our studios and on our stages to make art, theater, and music together. I see this as a gift and my role as caretaker of this gift. I believe that through more deeply understanding and formalizing my research on artistic communities, I can better understand the needs of our program and care for and inspire the 150 student artists we empower each year.”

This was the second time Ellie received the Paternotte Grant, an honor made possible by Nancy Brewster Paternotte ’65 to foster personal growth and infuse teaching and learning at MHS. Her first research opportunity took place in 2016 in Sweden, where she studied the life and work of the painter Hilma af Klint — before Hilma became the worldwide sensation she is today. Ellie drove around islands, visiting studios, talking to artists, translating books, and connecting with Hilma’s family, returning to campus with a greater appreciation of holistic community as a key component of an artist’s development.

Fast-forward to summer 2024 at Haystack, a model for learning in the art world, with programming designed around the constantly changing needs of rotating teachers and students. There, Ellie undertook a different kind of research: a deep dive into a highest-functioning creative community from within, living and working alongside others who share a commitment to learning from each other.

She set out to experience a new kind of leadership in the field of art education, designed to continuously reimagine its programming with an emphasis on stewardship of the creative community. “Within my new framework as Chair of the Expressive Arts Department at MHS, I serve as a bridge between the School’s Leadership Team, teachers, and students. I came away from Haystack with new ideas for creative connection and new practices for stewarding our inclusive community of young artists and experienced professional artists who are also teachers.”

Important to note, MHS was recently ranked the 5th Best High School for the Arts in Massachusetts according to the 2025 Niche rankings. It’s no wonder, given this thoughtful approach, intentional practice, and commitment to creativity, growth, and change.

ELLIE’S RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

• What are the essential elements that inspire creative communities?

• How are creative communities nurtured and sustained over time?

• How can the Expressive Arts Department develop and steward the thriving creative community at Miss Hall’s?

• As department chair, what is my role in this process?