Unconventional by Nature

Hawthorne Valley Association

The conventional boundaries of art dissolve here, giving way to a vibrancy that transcends the confines of gallery walls and stage performances.

outside of the milking barn with farm equipment out front and bird artwork on the outside of the building
outside view of inside the forge building as a group of farm camp students make crafts at a table
focus on a calf laying as two students kneel beside them
a student focused on her clay sculpture they're carving
Jeremy Shapiro of the creamery holding a wheel of cheese in front of many racks of wheels of cheese
student doing yarn art at the school, focused on the hands weaving the warn around wooden spools
farmers hands holding out a slice of radish

Since our inception in 1972, our commitment to artistic expression echoes the visionary ideals of co-founders Karl Ege and Arvia MacKaye Ege, harmonizing seamlessly with Rudolf Steiner’s insights by weaving art and beauty into the very fabric of our community.

The arts are not mere adornments but integral threads interwoven into the daily rhythm of our lives and the very architecture of our surroundings. Wander through our campus, and you’ll encounter colorful murals, nurtured gardens, and students immersed in the creation of land-based crafts. Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School transforms education into an art form, infusing fine, practical, and theatrical arts into the curriculum, nurturing the minds, hearts, and hands of every child.

Artist, former HVS art teacher, and co-director of the Alkion Center, Martina Angela Müller, champions the idea that the arts act as a bridge, enhancing understanding across subjects. The fusion of art with sciences and literature transforms learning into a holistic experience, with performing arts, puppetry, and class plays fostering creativity and confidence.

Music, hailed by Steiner as the closest to the spiritual realm, takes center stage in Hawthorne Valley’s curriculum. Alison Eldredge, HVS Music Program Director, underscores the social and developmental benefits of group ensemble work, portraying it as a dynamic act of will that fortifies students’ creative prowess.

orchestra of students playing music with sheets of music in front of them
focus on different flowers with a farmer harvesting in the background

Artistry at Hawthorne Valley extends far beyond formal education, permeating every facet of our endeavors. From the rhythmic pulse of the farm to the artisanal alchemy of food production and the guiding hands of our educators, each detail is meticulously attended to, cultivating a heightened sensitivity to life’s nuances. Our community is not just encouraged but compelled to express itself artistically, turning the ordinary into extraordinary.

As we enter our next 50 years, we celebrate the transformative power of observation, fostering a nonjudgmental outlook that can positively impact societal challenges such as racism and climate change. This elevated perspective remains the guiding light for the arts and the creative process at Hawthorne Valley. It is our fervent hope that the arts will persist in “completing the circulation of the life of the whole,” connecting us to our roots and infusing innovation as we confront the challenges of our time.