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

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