The Hooked Rug Museum
is very proud to present the following Special Exhibits:
A photo in My Hooked Rug
This exhibition showcases the remarkable creativity and craftsmanship of rug hookers from Bor’de’lo and Grande-Digue groups in New Brunswick. Inspired by a workshop in 2024, these artisans embarked on a journey to infuse their rugs with personal stories and memories by integrating photos directly into their designs.
Using innovative techniques, such as printing photos on metal or printable fabric, they seamlessly incorporated these images into the structure of the rugs. This is a collection of rugs that are visually stunning and deeply meaningful, each telling a unique story and reflecting the individual experiences of the creators.
As you explore the exhibition, take time to read the descriptions of each rug in the catalogue to discover the stories behind the photos and gain insight into the creative process that brought them to life. From cherished family moments to breathtaking landscapes, each rug is a testament to the skill and passion of its maker.
Prayer to my Angel
"Prayer to my Angel"
Designed and Hooked by:
Remi Levesque
"Medee"
"Medee"
Designed and Hooked by:
Nicole Cormier
"Le Rosemonde II"
Designed and Hooked by:
Helena Bourque
For more information, contact Remi Levesque: remileves@gmail.com
Lori-Ann Lingley Special Exhibit
Meet Artist, Lori-Ann Lingley
I started rug hooking in 2018 after retiring from 34 years of teaching in Prince Edward Island. My life had been all about teaching, so I had to find something to fill the time and to fulfill my creative heart. I took a beginners’ rug hooking course from Debbie Miller and Charlene Miller ( the owners of Periwinkle Laine) and had some coaching from a former teaching colleague, Susan Lea Manning. I fell in love with rug hooking as soon as I realized I could hook my own designs.
I had attended art courses in drawing and painting and found the knowledge I was acquiring about colour, values, and lines aligned perfectly with rug hooking.
I love to paint in watercolour and plein air with a small group of artists. Often, my watercolours will be inspiration for my rugs. I try to create and celebrate the beauty of Prince Edward Island.
I attend weekly hook-ins with The Shady Ladies, involved in my local guild (Island Matters) and the Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia. To see my patterns, visit: “Patterns by Lori-Ann” on Facebook and through Periwinkle Laine in PEI or online at Lori-Ann Lingley's Patterns - Periwinkle Laine
O Canada
O Canada, Designer and Rug Hooker: Lori-Ann Lingley
Winter Wonderland - Special Stitches
Winter Wonderland, Designed by Linda Marchbank and Hooked by Lori-Ann Lingley
Lupins by the Field
Lupins by the Field, Designed and Hooked by Lori-Ann Lingley
South Shore Alphabet
This exhibit has been published in a book demonstrating a true celebration of the South Shore of Nova Scotia and the art of rug hooking.
The creators of this exhibit, the River House Rug Hookers, hook at the River House Rug Hooking Studio, Petite Riviere, Nova Scotia on the deck in warmer weather and around the wood stove in colder months to hook. They hook, drink tea and share stories.
The group brainstormed ideas about creating an alphabet book drawing inspiration from areas (land and sea) along the South Shore. This display showcases all 26 letters of the alphabet and each artist’s creation representing the letter of the alphabet they selected randomly.
Be sure to view the alphabet book that is also on display with the exhibit as it provides the images you see displayed on the wall AND the stories behind the creation, who designed and who hooked it.
The South Shore Alphabet book is available for sale at the Hooked Rug Museum. You can also purchase it through Jane Steele: jane.riverhouse@gmail.com
"D" is for Doe, a Deer
"D" is for Doe, a Deer,
a Female Deer - Eating a Daisy!
Designed and Hooked by:
Michelle Wamboldt
"Q" is for Quay
"Q" is for Quay
Designed and Hooked by Heather Gordon
"W" is for Watching Whales
"W" is for Watching Whales
Designed and Hooked by Suzanne Wismer
"Z" is for Zinnia
"Z" is for Zinnia
Designed by Jane Steele
Hooked by Jean Wentzell
Barachois International Collection of Hooked Cushions
Designed and Hooked by many people from around the world;
Organized and Curated by Remi Levesque, member of the Preservation Committee of the Barachois Historical Church
Barachois International Collection of Hooked Rugs
In the International Gallery, we are proud to present pieces from the notable and award- winning Barachois International Collection of Hooked rugs. These beautiful pieces represent “hooked cushions from all around the world!” in the words of organizer and curator of the collection, Rémi Lévesque.
A Brief History of the “Barachois Cushions”
In the spring of 2017, the Preservation Committee of the Barachois Historical Church had two challenges: The first one was how to inform the public of the bicentennial of the church, a rare and important anniversary for such an old building; and secondly because of the upcoming 2019 Congrès Mondial Acadien (CMA), the Committee wanted to present a unifying event that was both artistic and historically significant. “It was while examining a photo of the benches taken from the second floor, that the idea of the hooked cushions came,” explains Levesque in the commemorative magazine describing the complete collection.
The plan was to replace the old cushions left over the years by spectators in the old hall. “At the time, the committee thought that a collection of fifty (50) hooked cushions would be feasible and would certainly arouse the interest of the public. In July 2023, the 315th cushion was added to the collection: A true international adventure.
The Collection, like others across America, proudly celebrates the volunteer work of artists in hooking. It exemplifies their community spirit and sense of solidarity, their creativity, and their energy to collaborate to meet a challenge. These artists are mostly women. What is even more fascinating is that for many, the Preservation Committee’s dream had become theirs. Everyone had a reason to get involved and it created magic! Many artists paid tribute to their ancestors, a family member, Acadian friends, a
Colleague hooker, history, the art of hooking or just for the cause.
Pictures coming soon!!!