Cobourg - Rug Hooking "Then and Now" Exhibit, Victoria Hall

After lunch, at the Buttermilk Cafe again, we went to another rug show that was housed in a gallery downtown.

The gallery space was on the 3rd floor of Victoria Hall.

Victoria Hall was started in 1856 and opened in 1860. To quote the plaque inside it was constructed in a "Victorian version of the Palladian style" and "reflected the economic optimism of the late 1850s". The security guard that we spoke to inside said that at one point the council was considering knocking it down, as it was so dilapidated, and having a parking lot in its place. Luckily, instead, they refurbished it and it is used as the administrative offices for the county. Locals get to pay their taxes there

and attend council meetings in what was once the court room.

On the second floor is the Concert Hall, decked out for a charity gala

It has a wonderful painted ceiling and walls. In a small side room there were displays showing the restoration process.

What we had come to see was on the third floor.

"Cobourg Lighthouse". Designed by Joyce Jones and hooked by the Northumberland Rug Hookers. Many of the rugs displayed were by local artists.

I love seeing rugs displayed gallery style. On plain walls and with identification tags. This one is "Jubilee #3000 Locomotive". Designed and hooked by Robert Stubbs.

"My Fist Love". Designed and hooked by Simone Vojvodin.

"Over the River". Designed and hooked by Martina Lesar.

"Memories of Oak Point". Designed and hooked by Trish Johnson.

"Sailboats and the Toronto Skyline". Designed and hooked by Joyce Jones

There were many more, all representing the "Now" part of the exhibit. There were also old rugs representing the "Then" part.

"Sailing Ship". 1900s. Grenfell Mission Style.  Silk or Rayon on burlap. The information about designers and artists was sometimes unknown for these antique rugs.

3X5 blocks. Wool. These old rugs are faded from use, light and time. They are often warn at the edges and sometimes in other places too.

Some show some evidence of patching and repair.  "Floral Squares". 1900s. Hooked by Nora (Cross) Levy. Big Tancook Island, Nova Scotia. More is known when a rug has stayed in the family. This one was in use for more than 50 years.

The tag identified this as from the studio of Georges Edouard-Tremblay, who was the designer. Dated 1925-1935. He designed rugs showing scenes of Quebec.

We went back to the hotel to do some hooking, feeling inspired and a little overwhelmed. Dinner was at a Thai restaurant in nearby Port Hope.