Founders' Gallery - Hooked Rug Museum of North America
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Hooked Rug Museum of North America header with logo and land acknowledgment
Founders' Gallery
Origin of the craft and it's evolution as a fine art appears to have been along the waterways where early colonies were established and east of water-based transportation was available.  Variations in the art bordering the long Atlantic coastline led museum researchers to organize a "hands across the border" organization of volunteers, which has united the North American continent in a coordinated effort to preserve the heritage of this primarily women's art form.
The struggles for dominance in the New World at times threatened the marginal existence of pioneer settlements as privateers raided ill-defended coastal settlements.  The women of coastal communities defended their log cabins and gardens of flax, corn and potatoes with pitchforks, brooms and sometimes subterfuge.
The Founders' Gallery in the museum will recognize the rug hooking women in both Canada and the United States who were heroines during a period of colonial conflagration.  These women stood strong in the face of military actions by both British and US forces that could have spelled their demise.  This gallery is being created loop by loop, in rug hooking terminology, as volunteers from the the United Sates and Canada hook rug art by hand (just as in the days gone by) to commemorate this painful period in the development of the "art of survival".
Born in the humble settlers' gardens, Acadian rug hooking often featured the flax plant, which provided a source of fibres that were then woven into homespun fabric.  Amongst the treasures of this first museum are very rare burlap twine rugs hooked on burlap backings which have aged gracefully into a richly mellowed gold tone.
Suzanne Conrod hooked this beautiful rug depicting the women of Chester, Nova Scotia defending the village of Chester during the War of 1812.  This is just one of several rugs in the War of 1812 Exhibit.
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Workshops and Fibre Events
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Workshops at the Hooked Rug Museum
May Workshops
Broomstick Lace with Liz Young - 13 May
Join Liz Young to learn this unique stitch, taught to Liz in Italy many years ago. Use this beautiful stitch to create a shawl or delicate baby blanket.
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Broomstick Lace 13 May
June Workshops
Paisley Fish with Jane Steele - 16 & 17 June
Join the one and only Jane Steele for this two-day class to create a distinct paisley fish. Be sure to bring along any pretty buttons and baubles for embellishments.
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Paisley Fish 16&17 June
Beginner Punch Hooking with Kevin LeMoine - TWO available sessions!
27 June
Curious about this quick and satisfying craft? Join us to learn from the always fun and creative, Kevin!
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Beginner Punch Hooking June 27
28 August
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Beginner Punch Hooking 28 August
Two-Sided Punching with Kevin LeMoine - 28 & 29 June
Are you looking for a challenge? Come to this two-day class to focus and develop an incredible piece before your eyes. Not for the faint of crafting heart.
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Two-Sided Punching 28&29 June
July Workshops
Geometric Hit and Miss Pad with Liz Young - 7 July
Learn how to sequence your colours and hooking stitches to create a rhapsody of colour and style!
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Geometric Hit and Miss 7 July
Shady Ladies with Jane Steele - 15 July
Join Jane Steele to create this bold-coloured and happy piece that evokes the special bond of sisters, those you're born with and those you find.
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Shady Ladies - 15 July
Beginner Rug Hooking with Suzanne Conrod and Sherry Chandler - 18 & 19 July
join McGown-certified teachers, Suzanne and Sherry, to learn the basics of rug hooking.
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Beginner Rug Hooking 18 & 19 July
August Workshops
Jacobean Pattern with Patsy Gorveatte - August 18 & 19
Join Patsy Gorveatte to learn this eye-catching 16th century style, enhanced and popularized by William Morris. Using rich jewel tones, you'll create a unique piece.
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Jacobean Pattern August 18 &19
Snowy Sheep with Jane Steele - 26 August
Back by popular demand, the snowy sheep! A fun piece to hook, this piece uses varying widths of wool, specialty yarns, and yarn fleece to create this special member of the flock.
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Snowy Sheep 26 August
Punching with Wool Strips with Kevin LeMoine - 29 August
Learn how to punch hook with Kevin, using hand-dyed and over-dyed wool strips to create a beautiful autumn-themed mat.
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Punching with Wool Strips 29 August
Sampler Workshop with Kevin LeMoine - 30 August
Not sure what to do with all your punch needles and wool strips? Join Kevin for this special class where you'll have the chance to use all 8 Oxford Punch Needles and a variety of materials.
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Sampler Workshop 30 August
September Workshops
Monochromatic with Jane Steele - 2 & 3 September
Join Jane Steele to create this one-of-a-kind piece with a pop of colour.
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Monochromatic 2&3 September
Diamond Geometric with Liz Young - 16 September
Explore the Aztec stitch and colour planning with Liz in this one and only class!
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Diamond Geometric 16 September
Finishing Workshop with Patsy Gorveatte - 22 September
Learn how to finish up all those projects you've had so much fun creating!
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Finishing 22 September
Fibre Day Hook-Ins
June 13 - Fibre Day
The fibre day hoook-ins are a wonderful chance to come together in community with other rug hookers and fibre artists and crafters. Lunch is included!
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Fibre Day Hook-In 13 June
26 September - Fibre Day
Join us for the last event of the season and come together in community before the weather turns colder.
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Fibre Day Hook-In 26 September
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