2017 RHAY - Hooked Rug Museum of North America
Source: https://www.hookedrugmuseumnovascotia.org/criteria-for-rhay/2017-rhay
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
2017 RHAY - Hooked Rug Museum of North America
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Hooked Rug Museum of North America header with logo and land acknowledgment
The Rug Hooking Artists of the Year for 2017 are:
Kate Thornhill, Sparrowhawk Studio, Long Reach, NB
Kate Thornhill
Originally from St. Stephen, New Brunswick, I have has lived in several provinces and territories and have traveled extensively. Everywhere I go I take my camera to capture the wonderful landscape of our world. Many of the women in my family worked in various forms of fibre arts over the years. I learned the basics as a child and have worked in fibre arts most of my adult life.
Several years ago I realized I had a great desire to create and design my own projects rather than recreating someone else’s designs. This exhibit represents my journey from technique to design.
About 4 years ago I met some wonderful rug hookers who meet at the Saint John Arts Centre. These enthusiastic and talented folks introduced me to a new art form. One member of the group was working a piece using wool yarn. I had tried a few pieces using the traditional wool strips but did not like the affect. When I saw the finished yarn piece I experienced an AHA! moment and knew this was the affect I was looking for. This was how I could accomplish the detail and texture of my photos by “painting with a hook”.
During the discovery process I visited a local supply shop to get materials and tips. The owner told me that I needed to make a line drawing first so I could then transfer the design to the backing. I knew there had to be something on the Internet on how to make a line drawing from a digital image so I searched and found a
YouTube
video with step-by-step instructions. I then took one of my photos, resized it, made a line drawing, and transferred it onto a backing. As they say, the rest is history: “painting with a hook”, I have created more than 30 wall hangings/tapestries based on my original photos. The pieces in this exhibit are all from my original photographs.
The January/February issue of Rug Hooking Magazine features an article titled “Painting with a Hook” and features three of my tapestries and the process of going from photo to line drawing to hooked rug.
My website
www.btlens.com
showcases my photography and hooked rugs.
Kay Lewis, Greenwish, Nova Scotia
Kay Lewis
I arrived in Nova Scotia in 2006 when I was in my early 70s, having lived in Daysland, Alberta. Neither my husband nor I knew anyone, but we knew we loved Nova Scotia. I had never been able to find an artistic endeavor at which I excelled and I tried many, such as wood carving, drawing and painting
–
no luck, but I truly believed you were never too old to keep trying. I became aware that rug hooking was fairly high profile in the Maritimes, and thought perhaps this could be the one at which I might excel. Then one day I saw a sign in a sewing shop in New Minas offering lessons. I signed up and never looked back. The teacher I signed with, Lynn Denney, taught using 100% wool yarn, so that
’
s what I
’
ve been using ever since. It
’
s readily available, very clean to work with, easy on the pocket book and whatever color you may need, Lynn will hand dye it for you. So I am now totally hooked on hooking.
For three years I was Regional Director for the Annapolis Valley Rug Hookers, which is part of the Nova Scotia Rug Hooking Guild. My work has been shown at Jack
’
s Gallery in Wolfville, the Centreville Quilt and Rug Show, the Designer Cafe in Kentville, and Centre Stage Theatre in Kentville, and Edible Arts Cafe, and the Libraries in Wolfville and Kingston. I have attended Rug School in Cornwallis, Truro, Halifax, England and Newfoundland. Teaching standards are very high and each year you can learn something new. My choice of projects is rather eclectic. I take photographs of things that catch my eye, and I also love to hook local painters work, after asking permission, of course.
There is one thing that stands out about rug hooking for me, and that
’
s the women you meet along the way. This art/craft seems to attract only the kindest, funniest, most caring women you
’
ll meet in a lifetime.
It takes a very long time to hook a mat, and by the time it
’
s completed, you
’
ve become rather attached to it. But I have run out of wall space and so have given away, or sold, a number of my mats, and I hope that someone, somewhere, will enjoy having them in their home as much as I have enjoyed hooking them.
Home
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
Your browser version is outdated. We recommend that you update your browser to the latest version.
>
Home
>
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
>
Home
>
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 2017 are:
Kate Thornhill, Sparrowhawk Studio, Long Reach, NB
Kate Thornhill
Originally from St. Stephen, New Brunswick, I have has lived in several provinces and territories and have traveled extensively. Everywhere I go I take my camera to capture the wonderful landscape of our world. Many of the women in my family worked in various forms of fibre arts over the years. I learned the basics as a child and have worked in fibre arts most of my adult life.
Several years ago I realized I had a great desire to create and design my own projects rather than recreating someone else’s designs. This exhibit represents my journey from technique to design.
About 4 years ago I met some wonderful rug hookers who meet at the Saint John Arts Centre. These enthusiastic and talented folks introduced me to a new art form. One member of the group was working a piece using wool yarn. I had tried a few pieces using the traditional wool strips but did not like the affect. When I saw the finished yarn piece I experienced an AHA! moment and knew this was the affect I was looking for. This was how I could accomplish the detail and texture of my photos by “painting with a hook”.
During the discovery process I visited a local supply shop to get materials and tips. The owner told me that I needed to make a line drawing first so I could then transfer the design to the backing. I knew there had to be something on the Internet on how to make a line drawing from a digital image so I searched and found a
YouTube
video with step-by-step instructions. I then took one of my photos, resized it, made a line drawing, and transferred it onto a backing. As they say, the rest is history: “painting with a hook”, I have created more than 30 wall hangings/tapestries based on my original photos. The pieces in this exhibit are all from my original photographs.
The January/February issue of Rug Hooking Magazine features an article titled “Painting with a Hook” and features three of my tapestries and the process of going from photo to line drawing to hooked rug.
My website
www.btlens.com
showcases my photography and hooked rugs.
Kay Lewis, Greenwish, Nova Scotia
Kay Lewis
I arrived in Nova Scotia in 2006 when I was in my early 70s, having lived in Daysland, Alberta. Neither my husband nor I knew anyone, but we knew we loved Nova Scotia. I had never been able to find an artistic endeavor at which I excelled and I tried many, such as wood carving, drawing and painting
–
no luck, but I truly believed you were never too old to keep trying. I became aware that rug hooking was fairly high profile in the Maritimes, and thought perhaps this could be the one at which I might excel. Then one day I saw a sign in a sewing shop in New Minas offering lessons. I signed up and never looked back. The teacher I signed with, Lynn Denney, taught using 100% wool yarn, so that
’
s what I
’
ve been using ever since. It
’
s readily available, very clean to work with, easy on the pocket book and whatever color you may need, Lynn will hand dye it for you. So I am now totally hooked on hooking.
For three years I was Regional Director for the Annapolis Valley Rug Hookers, which is part of the Nova Scotia Rug Hooking Guild. My work has been shown at Jack
’
s Gallery in Wolfville, the Centreville Quilt and Rug Show, the Designer Cafe in Kentville, and Centre Stage Theatre in Kentville, and Edible Arts Cafe, and the Libraries in Wolfville and Kingston. I have attended Rug School in Cornwallis, Truro, Halifax, England and Newfoundland. Teaching standards are very high and each year you can learn something new. My choice of projects is rather eclectic. I take photographs of things that catch my eye, and I also love to hook local painters work, after asking permission, of course.
There is one thing that stands out about rug hooking for me, and that
’
s the women you meet along the way. This art/craft seems to attract only the kindest, funniest, most caring women you
’
ll meet in a lifetime.
It takes a very long time to hook a mat, and by the time it
’
s completed, you
’
ve become rather attached to it. But I have run out of wall space and so have given away, or sold, a number of my mats, and I hope that someone, somewhere, will enjoy having them in their home as much as I have enjoyed hooking them.
Home
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