Busy Busy!

This spring is going to be a busy time for fibre enthusiasts in Northumberland County.  Here's a quick recap of what we've identified so far:


Then and Now – Rug Hooking in Canada – A Canada 150 Exhibition
Art Gallery of Northumberland - March 9-April 30
Brighton Public Library - March 13-31
Campbellford Public Library - March 28-April 30
Colborne Art Gallery - March 9-April 30
Port Hope Public Library - March 2-April 18

In addition, there will be 2 special events taking place at the Art Gallery of Northumberland during this time:
- Fun with Fibre - March 15 - demonstrations of hooking, spinning, knitting, felting
- The Art and History of Hooked Rugs in Canada - March 22 and April 5 at 2 pm

There may be additional opportunities for demonstrations in the month of April - stay tuned for details.

As if that wasn't enough, there's The Gathering in Port Hope on April 8.

Of course, we can't forget the OHCG Annual April 28-30.

Maudie, a movie about the renowned Maude Lewis is showing in Cobourg on April 30.

And just when you thought things might be calming down, there's a NEW event that is rumoured to be very similar to the Woodstock fibre event, but almost in our neighbourhood:  The Prince Edward County Fibre Festival, May 27.  Here's a link to their website - there are lots of classes, vendors galore, including several devoted to rug hooking - i think it's going to be a wonderful day (assuming we've managed to get out of the Annual with our wallets in reasonable shape!).

Plus - on June 17, we have been invited by the DBIA to participate in the Busker and Art Festival.  In addition to the usual buskers, they will have several artisans displaying their works.  More details to follow.

Maude Lewis Movie

A movie has been made about the life of Maude Lewis, called "Maudie". It looks like it will have a limited screening - it will be in Cobourg for all of ONE day....Sunday, April 30!  This is just when we'll be dismantling from the Annual at the CCC.

Regardless, here's the info on its showing at the Rainbow Cinema. Maybe it will be shown somewhere else on another date.

LATE BREAKING NEWS:  Ken Prue, at the Loft, will be showing this film during the month of May.  Check his website in early May for the latest schedule.

Even more breaking news:  spoke to Ken Prue at the Loft, and he thinks he will now be showing Maudie in June.  Stay tuned for the exact date.  In the meantime, I've also found other showings:
May 1-4:  Galaxy Cinema, Peterborough, and Landmark Cinema, Whitby
May 5:  Empire Theatre, Belleville
June sometime:  The Loft, Cobourg - stay tuned for timing
July 9:  Rainbow Theatre, Cobourg

The Rainbow Cinema in Cobourg now has show times posted for May 12-18.  Click here to see their listing.

SUNNY FLORIDA!!!!!

I'm in Sunny Florida and just got back from the Punta Gorda Convention Centre where there were lots of rug hookers practicing their craft and enjoying some of the free demonstartions among them our own Audrey Shewan and her daughter Carol.  We'll have to ask them to teach us some of the tips they learned while being there.  I think there were about 12 vendors, Searsport & Carol Feeney and others.  I brought back some brights so now I have to think what to hook with them, hahaha!! It was a fun day!  CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY to see the display of rugs they had and this! 

                                                                   Just gorgeous!

AGN Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 23^rd, 2017

The following has been arranged for the upcoming hooked rug exhibit: “Then and Now – Rug Hooking in Canada – A Canada 150 Exhibition”

Art Gallery of Northumberland

Main Exhibit

OPENING RECEPTION Thursday March 9^th 7pm

Show runs through to March 9th 2017 to April 30th, 2017

Featured Artist: Joyce Jones 

Organizers: Northumberland Rug Hookers; Art Gallery of Northumberland

Then and Now- Rug Hooking in Canada- A Canada 150 Exhibition will display contemporary and vintage hooked rugs at the AGN. It will include an interactive rug hooking station in the main gallery that invites the public to explore this Canadian heritage craft. This show at the AGN coincides with the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild's Annual Conference held at the Cobourg Community Centre April 28th-30th. Items (vintage and modern) have been collected from artists throughout Ontario and the Hooked Rug Museum of North America (located in Nova Scotia)  it includes Grenfell rugs (Nfld), Tremblay rugs (Quebec), and vintage rugs (Nova Scotia).

There will be two public lecture programs at the AGN on March 22 and April 5 at 2pm, “The Art and History of Hooked Rugs in Canada”.

MARCH BREAK EVENT: Join us for "Fun with Fibre" a FREE art fair just for kids! Drop in with your family anytime on March 15th from 12-4pm and meet local weavers, rug hookers, spinners, knitters and felters. Try out something new!

There are several Satellite Exhibitions throughout Northumberland that will also celebrate the Canadian heritage craft of rug hooking:

Brighton Satellite Exhibition

Location: Brighton Public Library

Date: March 13–31, 2017

Featured Artist: Elda McLaren (aged 102 and still hooking; rug hooker for many, many decades!)

Organizers: Brighton Rug Hookers; Brighton Public Library

Details – rug hooking items being hung on walls; rug hooking station being set up in Children’s library; demonstrations being held; local media is informed; an interview has been set up with local newspaper and Elda; poster has been made up advertising the event and includes mention of the main exhibit at the AGN; AGN poster and handouts have been provided

Campbellford Satellite Exhibition 

Location: Campbellford Public Library

Date: March 28-April 30, 2017

Organizers: Campbellford Rug Hookers, Campbellford Public Library, Spirit of the Hills

Colborne Satellite Exhibition

Location: Colborne Art Gallery, Heritage Room

Date: March 9-April 30, 2017

Organizers: Heritage Hands Rug Hookers; Heritage Committee/Colborne Art Gallery

Opening Reception: Friday, March 10, 7:30pm

Port Hope Satellite Exhibition

Location: Port Hope Public Library

Date: March 2-April 18

Organizers: Northumberland Rug Hookers, Port Hope Public Library

Creativity transforms, connects and empowers

I found this item on a knitting blog I follow, but I think it applies equally to rug hookers. While the article is geared towards getting children to be creative, it makes several points that are pertinent to us.  One item in particular resonated with me:

Making connects the hand, eye and brain in a very special way. It’s empowering for both maker and viewer. The act of making is optimistic; it’s an act of faith. People of all ages feel better for doing it. 

Making can also be very social – conversations can meander while hands are kept busy. But it can also be very personal and give confidence to [people] who listen to their own internal monologue that takes place as they make in solitude.

You can read the full article here.