The Triennial is an opportunity to discuss contemporary topics with our global members. Panel sessions aim to develop a universal vocabulary to be used in publicity, promotion, and conversations by participants in the 21st Century. There was time afterwards to continue with ideas brought up by attendees. The underlined links have some background about the participants.
DEFINING PROFESSIONALISM – WHAT DOES PROFESSIONALISM MEAN AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Diverse activities within the rug hooking community make this craft form both exciting and eclectic. We come together for different reasons, from developing friendships and building communities to designing and exhibiting. We also use different titles to define what we do: artist, educator, curator, designer, leader, organizer, supplier, writer, and more. We attend conferences and workshops, receive grants and awards for our work. We self-promote through print, social, media, blogs, and websites.
This description defines many of us, and at this conference we had the unique opportunity to engage as a community to share our experiences and express our expectations. So, what does it mean to be professional? What does that package look like in terms of vocabulary, communicating with other artists and engaging the public? What do we say about ourselves and what we do? What does it mean to network and build relationships? Is this important? How do you present yourself and work to others within this community and outside?
Moderator: Susan L. Feller – USA Juried member of several contemporary Hooked Art exhibits; Fellowship recipient Tamarack Foundation; curator; studio artist ArtWools.com
Panelists: Jo Franco – Australia Founding member/Editor of Australian Rug Hooking Guild; TIGHR past-editor and web administrator; freelance author for TAFTA, RHM, Embellishments; recipient of TIGHR Founders’ Cup, member of WAFTA
Lori LaBerge – USA Textile artist represented in NC galleries, LoriLaBerge.com; juried national exhibits; author for Rug Hooking Magazine; coordinator of PleinAirHooking.com
Rachelle LeBlanc- Canada Textile artist juried internationally, recipient of Surface Design Association Professional Development grant, featured artist exhibit Shelburne Museum, VT Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild, RachelleLeBlanc.com
Debra Smith- USA: editor Rug Hooking Magazine
SHAPING THE CONVERSATION – CONTEMPORARY FIBER ART AND THE HAND HOOKED SURFACE. In many post-secondary institutions the word craft has been replaced with the word design. Hand hooking artists call themselves textile artists or visual artists. In contemporary textile art settings hand hooked works are referred to as crafty. As hand hooking artists, educators, curators, designers, and leaders in our communities, what are our roles and responsibilities in creating the conversation about contemporary fiber art and the hand hooked surface? What does the vocabulary look like? What does a hand hooked surface look like in the contemporary fiber art world? What traditions do we want to move forward or leave behind?
Moderator: Kathy Wright – USA Coordinator of Sauder Village Rug Hooking Week; curator; author Magdelena Briner Eby 2012, and in 2014 Patty Yoder and Esther Knipe,
Panelists: Susan Feller – USA Author; textile artist; pattern maker RuckmanMillFarm.com; curator; recipient of Tamarack Fellowship; Past-President of TIGHR and web administrator ArtWools.com
Peg Irish – USA Juried member of League of New Hampshire’s Craftsmen; lecturer; artist; PegsRugs.com past-editor of TIGHR; recipient of TIGHR Founders’ Cup; featured artist Green Mountain Rug Hooking Guild 2014; article in Rug Hooking Magazine J/J/A2014
Brigitta Phy – USA owner of GreenValleyRugHooking.com Fourth generation rughooking artist/pattern maker, instructor, Celebrations finalist 2013
APPROACHING A NEW DESIGN – HOW DO YOU WORK THROUGH TO A GREAT RUG? Everyone approaches a new project uniquely. Hear panelists’ processes, then have small groups discussion with one panelist and audience members.
Contribute your experiences, hear ways others resolve problems:
*Colour or a motif suggest the design and palette.
*Envision the design then figure out how to construct it.
*Research a decorative style, design, color plan and dye, work it through.
*Select a pattern, collect materials, decide on techniques.
Are any of the above your style? Why do you hook/prod/braid is it the process or the product? Panelists will discuss their approaches and then meet with a table of audience members where attendees will be encouraged to contribute their own approaches.
Moderator: Karen Kaiser – Canada Graphic designer, OHCG certified Instructor, pattern maker, ArtworksbyKarenKaiser.net
Panelists: Stephanie Allen-Krauss – USA Fourth-generation rugmaker; designer; contributing author to Finishing Hooked Rugs; GreenMountainHookedRugs.com
Linda Rae Coughlin -USA Curator; textile artist; author Contemporary Hooked Rugs and Modern Hooked Rugs; past Vice-President TIGHR TheArtRugs.com
Maggie Whyte – Australia Textile artist working in felting, embroidery, rugmaking including hooky and 3-dimensional work; Vice-President/Secretary of Australian Rugmakers Guild