Duane Hicks
Community
input wanted
Those interested in being part of the “What Hooks You Here” rug-hooking project will get an introduction to the art form—and a chance to provide input—during a free workshop tomorrow (March 25) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Fort Frances Museum.
The workshop will be led by Debbie Ballard and Judy Kielczewski, who got the rug-hooking project approved under the Community Arts and Heritage Education Program (CAHEP).
Ballard said the purpose of the workshop is to explain how the project will proceed: the process of taking an idea, turning it into artwork, turning it into a pattern, and then how to hook that pattern.
“[The workshop] is to try your hand at rug-hooking, to see how the wool works, to see some of the designs or some of the ideas that are already out, and a chance to have some of your own input, if you have some ideas,” she remarked.
“You can bring a sketch or a photograph,” Ballard explained. “People [then] will be able to see how we can turn these ideas into a pattern that can be hooked.”
As previously reported, the intent of the “What Hooks You Here” project is to get residents to provide input as to what they like so much about Fort Frances, Rainy Lake, and the surrounding area, and to turn those ideas into a rug-hooking that will be worked on by members of the community.
Not only will the end result be an art piece reflecting local pride, but the art of rug-hooking will be passed on to new people along the way.
Ballard said there will be a few sample pieces tomorrow evening for people to test their hooking skills on, and that Kielczewski has dyed some wool just for the occasion.
She added rug-hooking is easy to learn and no one should be intimidated to try their hand at it.
“Even with the final piece, it will be fairly well-defined for people. . . . You’ll be given a very specific area to hook, a specific row to use, a map that tells you where to start and where to stop,” she noted.
“I think it’s going to be pretty straightforward, and I am hoping from the workshop that people get a feel for how it would happen and whether or not they could hook,” added Ballard.
“I don’t have any doubt that 99 percent of the population is able to pull up loops.”
Likewise, any members of groups who may be interested in having their group hook a portion of the project once it gets underway should attend tomorrow night’s workshop.
“We’re looking for groups, we’re definitely looking for groups,” Ballard stressed. “You can come, try it, see what it is, and kind of get a preview of the project.
“We will do workshops for each individual group,” she noted. “It’s not like this is your only chance. But it’s a good chance to see . . . how you would participate.”
Community input
Kielczewski said both she and Ballard are excited to get going on the project. But what’s truly needed now is input from the community to determine what to include.
“I am ready to go,” Kielczewski enthused. “I’ve got the linen ready, I’ve got the wool, frames—we are ready to hook, we are ready to teach people.
“I’ve got lots of ideas, but we want it to be everyone’s project.”
“We need input from people in the community. The more people that have input, the more of a community project it becomes,” echoed Ballard.
“The purpose of the project is really to instill a sense of pride in [Fort Frances]. It can’t just be us,” she stressed.
While local children provided input on the project last Wednesday during a March Break activity at the Fort Frances Museum, and tomorrow evening will be another good opportunity, Kielczewski also is putting out a questionnaire this week to try and reach as many people as possible.
She has gone around to local businesses to put out questionnaires and drop boxes. When the public sees them, they’re encouraged to pick up a form, fill it out (take it home if need be), and return it either to the participating business or the museum.
“What hooks you here? What are your memories? Stories, pictures, old or new, it doesn’t matter,” explained Kielczewski, adding the type of input they want to provide can be anything from a fond memory to artwork their child did years ago.
Both Kielczewski and Ballard said it’s clear people love this area, whether they live here year-round, spend the summer here, or perhaps left because of a job or other reason and still pine for day they can return.
Now, they want to hear why those people love it.
Ballard said museum curator Pam Hawley also has set up a “What Hooks You Here” Facebook page, which Facebook users are encouraged to check out, join, and follow the progress of the rug-hooking project along the way.
“The Facebook page is also a place where people can write about what hooks them here,” Ballard noted, adding people also could provide input by uploading photos to the page.
“It’s an easy, easy way to be a part of the project through the Facebook group,” she reasoned.
One thing that has been decided is the size of the project. It will be a triptych consisting of the three pieces each measuring 24”x42” that, when hung together, make a complete piece.
This will incorporate ideas from adults, as well as children.
Writers, artists, or anyone with ideas to contribute to the project, as well as volunteers to help rug-hook, can contact Kielczewski (274-7120), Ballard (274-3250), or the museum (274-7891).
