2015 RHAY - Hooked Rug Museum of North America Your browser version is outdated. We recommend that you update your browser to the latest version. Workshops and Events 2026 Workshops About Our Mission Directors Exhibits 2025 Special Exhibits Founders' Gallery Interpretive Centre Noah's Ark Exhibit Garrett Gallery & Factory Exhibits of North America New Brunswick Gallery Ontario/Quebec Gallery 2024 Special Exhibits 2023 Special Exhibits 2022 Special Exhibits 2021 Special Exhibits Fibre Art Market Artist of the Year 2025 RHAY 2024 RHAY 2023 RHAY 2022 RHAY 2021 RHAY 2019 RHAY 2018 RHAY 2017 RHAY 2016 RHAY 2015 RHAY 2014 RHAY 2013 RHAY 2025 RHAY Past News 2019 Other 2019 Event Photos 2019 Beginner WS 2019 Modigliani WS 2019 Fine Shading WS 2019 Punch Hooking WS Event Photos Delecto 2017 2017 Event Photos 2016 Event Photos 2015 Event Photos Other 2015 Exhibits 2015 Visitors & Photos 2014 Hook-In Photos 2013 Hook-Ins Opening Ceremony 2013 Events Donate Contributors Links Contact Workshops and Events About Exhibits Fibre Art Market Artist of the Year 2025 RHAY Past News Donate Links Contact Hooked Rug Museum of North America header with logo and land acknowledgment The Rug Hooking Artists of the Year for 2015 are Chizuko Hayami, Tokyo, Japan, and Diane Ayles, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada. We are very excited to have these two contemporary rug hooking artists as our honorees for 2015. Chizuko1 Diane1 Left: My Labs by Chizuko Hayami Right: The Purple House by Diane Ayles Biographies: Diane Ayles Diane Ayles is a professional artist residing in the heart of Muskoka,Ontario.  From her home studio, her pieces are created predominately in the medium of “Painting with Wool”.  Her pallet consists of hand dyed fibers that enhance the surface of linen.  Her artwork is a snapshot of the beauty served up by nature, which deepens her creativity. One day while in search of a pallet, she found a new medium in the form of a wall hanging her mother-in-law had hooked and given to her as a gift. With a full tank of enthusiasm her journey into hooking began. Diane feels very honoured in being recognized for her artistic abilities and achievements.  She has exhibited pieces from her collection in local and national venues and juried shows.  Her work has received an Award of Excellence by the Art Community for Best New Emerging Artist, Best in Textiles & Best in Show. She is a member of The Huntsville Art Society, Muskoka Arts & Crafts, and The Ontario Hooking Craft Guild, which has given her an opportunity to meet many wonderful artists.   Many of her pieces have been awarded internationally and published in A Needle Pulling Thread, Fiber Art Now and Celebration of Hand Hooked Rugs. “With an inherent base in art, I've been enchanted by the complexity and potential of hooking and its place as a fine art.” – Diane Ayles Chizuko Hayami was born and raised inTokyo,Japan and lived inWestchester, NY from 1989 to 1994 with her family.  She started rug hooking in 1990 in NY and was taught by the late Ms. Dorothy Lotto. Chizuko began teaching in 1994 at home in Tokyo, Japan. She started attending the Northern McGown Teachers’ Workshop in 1999 and is now a McGown certified teacher and a member of the National Guild ofPearlK. McGown Hookrafters. She attended the Rug S chool in Nova Scotia, Canada in 2007 and is a member of the Rug Hooking Guild of Nova                                                     Scotia. Chizuko has held the following exhibits: Chizuko’s Class Exhibit inTokyofrom 1998 to 2014 (every year and a half) Chizuko’s Individual Exhibit inTokyoin 2000 Chizuko & Fumiko’s Joint Exhibit inKobein 2002 Special Exhibit in Summer in 2003, 2004, 2008 (and in   2015) Christmas Exhibit inTokyo in 2006 and 2009 Chizuko has won the following hooking awards: 2008 “Changing” Celebration XVIII - M cGown National Exhibit award 2009 “Japanese Crane” 1 st prize of People’s Choice in Fall School Exhibit of RHGNS 2010 “Japanese Crane” Celebration XIX–Show Case 2010 “My Labs” Visitor’s Choice Runner-up award in Fall School Exhibit of RHGNS 2012 “Mae Morris” Celebration XXI 2011 “Mae Morris” 1 st prize of People’s Choice in Northern McGown Teachers’ Workshop exhibit 2012 “Mae Morris” 1 st prize of Readers’ Choice of Celebration of Rug Hooking Magazine 2012 “My Labs” Celebration XXII-Show Case 2012 Eye See You II---Penguin’s eye 2013 “Masterful Morris” Celebration XXIII-Honorable Mention Chizuko's Visit on May 19, 2015 Chizuko001 Chizuko02 Chizuko03 Chizuko005 Chizuko006 Chizuko007 Suzanne presenting the plaque Chizuko008 Suzanne, Chizuko & Councillor Matt Whitman Chizuko0010 Suzanne with Chizuko and her friends under the new sign Chizuko0011 Workshops and Fibre Events Full information for each class can be found below. Please use this Registration Form. Visit us at the Fibre Art Market to register and pay by cash, Debit, MasterCard, or Visa. Or send an etransfer to hrmnaevents@gmail.com 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. Full Information: 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. Full information: 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! Full Information: Beginner Punch Hooking June 27 28 August Full information: 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. Full Information: 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! Full Information: 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. Full Information: 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. Full Information: 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. Full information: 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. Full Information: 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. Full Information: 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. Full Information: 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. Full Information: 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! Full Informationt: 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! Full Information: 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! Full Information: 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. Full Information: Fibre Day Hook-In 26 September Image Gallery