2009 Louisville, KY USA

The 15th Anniversary of this organization coincided with the Tri-Ennial, September 20-23, 2009.  Held at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky and attended by 78 of the 200 members.  The slogan for the term was “Rug Hooking- You Can Do It!”

The Executive Board for 2006-2009 was comprised of residents from the United States:
President Susan L. Feller, West Virginia
Vice-President Linda Rae Coughlin, New Jersey
Secretary Linda Ratliff, West Virginia
Treasurer Stephanie Ashworth-Krauss, Vermont
Membership Chair Nancy Jewett, Vermont

The three day event was planned around a symposium format, featuring a meeting space (Global Hub) where literature from members about workshops, events, international destinations including the two nominated countries of Japan and Australia, and products could be picked up.  The premier exhibit of Mary Sheppard Burton and Leonard Feenan’s hooked three dimensional creation “Noah’s Ark” was on display with presentations during the program.  A gallery exhibit of the exchange squares on the theme of GREEN, and recycled fiber art by members and the preview of auction items filled the space along with seating areas for conversations.  This room was centrally located for the morning meals and a gathering point between sessions.

After the meet and greet and general meeting on Sunday, Sept 20, the first panel featured Founders and NewComers. Tales of the beginnings were told by Jeanne Field, Peg Irish and Carol Harvey-Clark while new and old began to become or renew friendships.

September 21 the schedule included presentations:  each prepared an informative overview of the topic and subsequent material to follow up which were printed and included in the attendees packet.  These presentations are available to members on the private site, another reason to join TIGHR.

Topics and Presenter:
19thC Block Printing, Stephanie Ashworth-Krauss, VT
Art Brut-Folk Art-Outsiders, Diane Learnmoth, WA
Hooking Landscapes, Anne-Marie Littenberg, VT
Recycled Pot Cover, Fumiyo Hachisuka, JAPAN
Noah’s Ark, Mary S. Burton and Leonard Feenan, MD
Hooked and Braided Rugs, Kris McDermet, NH
Finished Rugs as a Business, Angela Jones, KY
Design: Elements and Principles, Peg Irish, NH
Demonstration Make a Fabric Mat, Happy DiFranza, MA
Art Journals- Artistic Record Keeping, Kim Dubay, ME
Framing Tips for Fiber Art, Susan Feller, WV
Meet the Color Wheel, Eric Sandberg, GA
Color from Natural Dyes, Rose Wirtz, SC
Dye Challenge Results, Nancy Jewett, VT

September 22 the format was panel discussions with the following topics and participants:

Networking Globally Starting in Australia: Jo Franco, Judith Ingram, Miriam Miller, Jacqui Thomson (Australian Board members)
Curate, Exhibit, Sell -Professional Tips, Linda Rae Coughlin, Kathy Wright
Document and Register for Tomorrow’s History, Anne Boissinot, Celia Charlton, Kim Dubay, Judy Ingram
Raising Self-Esteem with Global Projects, The Rug Hook Project, Rug Aid, Congo Rug, Rug Hooking Guild of Newfoundland and Labrador
Rug Making Suppliers Past Present and Future, Rittemere-Hurst-Field, DiFranza Designs and Dorr Mill Store

Immediately following the ending of Tri-Ennial and at the same location, the ATHA conference proceeded with vendors, exhibit of members rugs and workshops, fulfilling the education and economics not covered at the TIGHR event.