Executive Committee Message
 |
| 40th Anniversary Logo - by Maria Romero |
September 2015
The Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild celebrates its 40th Anniversary
In 1975 Lois Morris founded the “Lakeshore Woolgatherers Hooking Craft Guild”, subsequently renamed “Beaconsfield Hooking Crafters Guild” and thus began 40 years of rug hooking adventures that continue today. Founding and early members, under Lois’ expert guidance, learned to hook and, to this day, strive to not only expand their own creative talents but to share their experience with new members as well. From McGown and Moshimer inspirations, to crewel and sculpted pieces, to designing original artwork, to proddy and scrappy and 3 dimensional, from #2 cut to #10, BHCG members are ever evolving and attempting new skills.
The guild has met throughout its existence at Centennial Hall on the lovely shores of Lac-St.-Louis with the generous support of the City of Beaconsfield and its helpful staff.
The current executive is made up of relative newcomers who appreciate the opportunity to serve in a long line of past executives who have helped to steer the guild, establishing BHCG as a long-respected organization dedicated to the craft of rug hooking.
Plans for our 40th anniversary celebrations mainly revolved around giving back to the community this year. In April we made padula flowers from wool and gifted them to all recipients of Meals on Wheels in the West Island of Montreal on Good Friday. Each handmade flower was beautifully wrapped and signed with our love and presented on their meal tray. This small gesture was greeted with warmth by a generation who are unable to leave home or are often alone. Later this year we plan to make mug rugs (coasters) gifted with a mug over the festive season.
From April to June we gave a weekly Rug Hooking Class to Grade 5 at Sherwood Forest Elementary. 30 children learned how to transfer their designs onto backing, how to recycle t-shirts into rugs and hook a small square. They were thrilled to meet our only male member who had taken time from work to show the boys that anyone can hook rugs. It was the greatest experience spending time with the children and learning that boys really do chat more than girls!! Their final pieces will be joined together and unveiled at our exhibition at Centennial, it will eventually be displayed in the school entrance.
During the summer we gave another children's workshop at Beaconsfield Library, which also brought delight to the members who took part and a new skill which the children can continue at any time in their lives.
Further details and photos can be found in previous articles in the Blog tab.
We will be having a pre-show (smaller exhibit) which will include demonstrations at Beaconsfield Library. The pre-show will run from September 9 to 27, library hours.
The demonstrations are:
Adult Demos
Sept 9 from 10-11 am
Sept 10 from 6-7 pm
Sept 17 from 7-8 pm
Sept 22 from 10-11 am
Children Demos
Sept 12 from 10 am – noon
Sept 19 from 10 am – noon
Concluding with our large celebratory 40th Anniversary Exhibition on September 25-27 from noon to 5 pm at Centennial Hall in Beaconsfield.
We look forward to welcoming visiting rug hookers and the general public. Visitors can expect to see some extraordinary works of art.
The executive is honoured to be part of this proud legacy. We owe the success of the guild to those still treasured founding members from forty years ago, to their dedication and ingenuity and of the members who followed. We raise our hooks to salute you and the next forty years!
Best wishes from the Executive:
Ti Seymour - President
Dawna Matthew - Secretary
Jacqueline Bouchard - Treasurer
