September 6 - October 25, 2025
LINDSAY RUG HOOKERS
The KLMA is proud to have made this exhibition available from September 6 - October 25, 2025 to honour the incredible works of art created by the members of the Lindsay & District Rug Hookers (LDRH). The 50 pieces on display were chosen by the members to offer a variety of themes, materials, styles, and include both heritage and contemporary pieces.
Since the mid-1980s, the LDRH have been committed to maintaining the historical art of traditional rug hooking.
Members meet on Thursdays at 10:00 AM at the Lindsay Armoury as part of the Lindsay Seniors’ programming. New members are welcome at any time and any skill level, including beginners looking to learn.
For over 200 years, rugs have been made by pulling loops of yarn or fabric through a sturdy base of burlap, linen, or rug warp.
The traditional rug hook tool consists of a hook that pulls the loops through the backing material, using the handle for leverage.
Fabric may be new, but is often recycled from worn clothing or blankets, and even—
as with two of the pieces on display— pantyhose.
detail of “See Ya Agin” by Marlene Edwards, pantyhose, 2019
detail of “Winging Home” by Eleanor Roberston Smith, pantyhose on burlap, 1994
Heritage Rug Registry Items from the Dr. Wilfred Grenfell collection:
The Grenfell Mission was the creation of Dr. Wilfred Thomason Grenfell (1865-1940), originally from Parkgate, England, who visited Labrador and Newfoundland and found there a hardworking people, mostly fishermen, plagued by poverty, hunger, disease and exploitation. He implemented the concept of a social and medical mission, which could be funded in part by a new cottage industry that employed the skill of local women in the making of expertly hooked rugs and mats. In addition to the well known hooked mats, they also made small table mats sold as trivets, pot holders, or coasters and other various distinctive handicrafts. This endeavor gave the women work through the winter and a feeling of accomplishment as well as a form of occupational therapy. Materials were acquired primarily through donation of silk stockings. “When Your Stockings Run let them Run to Labrador!” was one of the pleas for contributions when Dr. Grenfell lectured to raise funds for the mission throughout the USA. Rugs were then sold to socialites in New York and Philadelphia, among other places.
The Grenfell Mission was a medical and religious mission in St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador.
More information: https://stories.artbma.org/nylon-nature-grenfell-rugs-and-arctic-production/
Hooked rugs can be mounted in various ways that enhance the design or expand on a theme.
“Hockey Night in Nova Scotia” by Debbie Sloan, designed by Deanne Fitzpatrick, mixed fibres, 2025
Rugs can also be cut to any shape.
“Chickadee” on milk stool by Cass Gaylor, hand-dyed yarn on monks cloth, 2017
“Sparkling Tree” by Bonnie Scholey, hand-dyed hand-cut wool, 2023
“Footprints” by Cass Gaylor.
“Lighthouse Lady” by Debbie Sloan, design by Jane Steele (Riverhouse Rug Hooking), mixed fibres, 2024. Artist note: “A self-portrait celebrating my first visit to Nova Scotia and in particular, Peggy’s Cove. This rug is hung on an old farm implement given to me from a friend who found it on her property.”
“Covered Bridge” by Vicki Gowan, wool strips, 2006
Different fabric and techniques add textures and three-dimensional details.
“Ewe-nique” by Marlene Edwards, mixed fibres, 2004
Rug hooking isn’t just for art to hang on the walls or cover floors. Pillows, clothing, purses, stuffed animals. Art is only limited by imagination.
