Heather Smith has a BFA in fine art and an MA in art history. She has been rug hooking for several years and has installed many artworks over a career spent working in public galleries in Canada. She learned from her mother, Marlene Smith, a long-time rug hooker who was raised in Port Rowan and has retired back to the area.

Heather will collaborate with several local participants to produce a community rug hooking mural focusing on Long Point and the Inner Bay. Marlene will be the lead rug hooker and the person who guides the technical aspects of the project. Throughout the project, people will learn about the history of the inner Bay and the creeks that lead into it through conversations about the water and its history. Through a series of rug hooking workshops, each participant will contribute a piece of the final project.

Want to join in and receive your own Rug Hooking Kit? See the Great Art for Great Lakes ‘TV’ schedule for full workshop details and sign up to participate.

Heather will be hosting a live Q&A on the corner of Bay & Church, Port Rowan. Join us from 1:30-2:30pm to join the Q&A live and see the work from Zoom!

‘Hooked on the Bay’ will be on display at Abode Home + Cottage (1017 Bay Street, Port Rowan) from Oct 1-10th, before moving to the Norfolk County Public Library for permanent installation.

This event is FREE with registration for those joining online through Zoom.

Please join us for an afternoon of music and rug hooking, brought together with love for our water. This relaxing summer afternoon at the Normandale Century Inn will allow participants to continue practicing rug hooking for Heather Smith’s “Hooked on the Bay” project. Heather and Marlene Smith will show the rug hooking project that they have been working on for GAGL 2020. Special musical guests Tia McGraff and Tommy Parham will be performing throughout the event.

We invite experienced rug hookers to bring their creations to show the group in an impromptu exhibition. Bring as many rugs as you can – we will display them on the patio deck or on the grass and discuss techniques, designs and rug hooking in general. If you are a rug hooker, please bring some of your creations to show to the group – 5 to 10 rugs each would be terrific! JoAnne Harris will be here with a variety of rug hooking supplies.

Location: Normandale Century Inn, 2326 Front Road, Normandale (519 426 8345)
We will be outdoors on the patio and back lawn. In case of rain, we will move to the indoor lobby space.

Note: The restaurant is closed, so please bring any food, drink, or seating you require.

We look forward to a beautiful afternoon of engagement and connection, and will be following strict safety protocols. Ongoing hand washing and sanitizing will be the order of the day. Let’s all stay healthy and safe.

This event is FREE with registration. Spots are limited and filling up quickly. Please email Alexis at alexis.moline@waterlution.org to reserve your spot solo or as a bubble (group of up to 10 people).

Please note that registration is strictly required so we can properly prepare and follow safety guidelines.

Please join us for our next GAGL TV WORKSHOP for HOOKED ON THE BAY  🎉

Sign up today, get your materials ready, and connect with Heather Smith as she guides us through designing your own rug hooking pattern, all while sharing stories on the importance of Lake Erie and the Inner Bay to life in Port Rowan.

Commercial patterns for rug hooking were first sold in the 19th century and they are still very popular today. This Zoom workshop explores the idea of coming up with your own rug hooking design based on personal history or a connection to water. Heather will take you through the process of designing your own pattern; from coming up with the subject matter, all the way to transferring it to burlap and getting started hooking.

As part of the Great Art for Great Lakes project, selected pieces completed by participants will be featured in Heather’s “Hooked on the Bay” installation, to be publicly installed later this year.

What you need:

• a rug hook
• burlap
• 1/4″ strips of wool cloth or yarn
• and scissors

Please join us for our FIRST GAGL TV WORKSHOP for HOOKED ON THE BAY  🎉

Sign up today, get your materials ready, and connect with Heather as she guides us through the process of rug hooking, all while sharing stories on the importance of Lake Erie and the Inner Bay to life in Port Rowan. Ideal for beginners to advance, this online workshop is all about learning, connecting and sharing. Heather and her mother, Marlene, hold a great connection to rug hooking and the Bay, and will use this participatory workshop as a gathering space to gain deeper insights on the water.

The artists will discuss making patterns, solve some common problems that can occur, and show you some examples of the rugs that Marlene has made over the years. The workshop will be interactive, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have.

As part of the Great Art for Great Lakes project, selected pieces completed by participants will be featured in Heather’s “Hooked on the Bay” installation, to be publicly installed later this year.

What you need:

• a rug hook, burlap
• 1/4″ strips of wool cloth or yarn
• and scissors

Want to order your own?

Hooks are available here for $10.

BUY HERE

Burlap can be sourced from coffee pouches, tree wraps, etc, or you can order here for $12:

BUY HERE

You are also welcome to join if you do not have supplies, and would prefer to just listen in and share connections with Port Rowan and the Inner Bay!