 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Sauder Village
22611 St. Rt. 2
Archbold, Ohio 43502
In Northwest Ohio
1-800-590-9755
Click
here...
Rates. Dates & Hours
Our Mission:
As a destination of choice, Sauder Village offers guests experiences rich in history, hospitality, creativity & fun.
Date: Evening - Thursday, August 16, 2012 – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Students Need to Bring: Pen and paper for notes Bio: Mary Jo and Karl started hooking in the fall of 2003 after taking a beginners’ workshop at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA. Their interest in early American history and rug hooking converged with their current project of hooking a series of primitive rugs adapted from old tavern, trade and farm signs. Besides working on rugs together, they have traveled to historic places and museums gathering more information for their project and enjoy the hunt for “as is” wool in thrift stores, rummage sales, and flea markets. Mary Jo is a former airline stewardess who has been involved with the fine arts since high school. She designs most of the rugs that she and Karl hook. Mary Jo often adapts a rug based on an old sign but prefers to design an original pattern inspired by an interesting tavern name or one with an interesting story associated with it. Mary Jo is an accomplished printmaker and painter in watercolor, oil and pastel. The traditional arts of the Pennsylvania Germans such as tole painting, theorem painting, bird carving, grain painting and quilting are skills she has mastered. Mary Jo likes to include Waldoboro and proddy elements in her rugs. Their rugs have been featured in Rug Hooking Magazine, the ATHA Newsletter, The Wool Street Journal, Contemporary Hooked Rugs, and Hooked Rugs Today. Together, they have done presentations and exhibits on their rug collection at The Red Mill Museum Village (Clinton, NJ), The Schwenkfelder Heritage Center (Pennsburg, PA), The David Library of the American Revolution (Washington Crossing, PA), The Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County (Lancaster, PA), and at regional rug hooking guilds. Specialties: Tavern, trade and farm sign rugs, using recycled wool.
Sauder Village 16th Annual Rug Hooking Week
2012
Workshops: (1/2-Day, 1-Day & 2-Day): Wednesday - Saturday, August 15 - 18, 2012
“Tavern Sign Rugs & the Stories They Tell”
Gallery Talk with Karl & Mary Jo Gimber
Class Fee: $25.00 / Members $23.00
Kit Fee: None
Location: Founder’s Hall – Exhibit Hall
Description: Accompanying this Special Exhibit is a unique opportunity to hear the story behind this rug hooking husband and wife team. Political messages, historical references, religious themes and humor can be found in many of the old signboards. See this exhibit through the eyes of Karl and Mary Jo Gimber, who in 2003 began working on a series of hooked rugs inspired by old tavern, trade and farm signs. Over 70 rugs have been completed so far.
Karl and Mary Jo are experienced and respected artisans. Mary Jo designs most of the patterns. Together they have done extensive research into 1700s and 1800s taverns, farms, and trade signs as well as historic flags, gravestones, old weathervanes, and folk art which are the inspiration behind the rugs in this exhibit. These signs were created when houses were unnumbered and many streets were unnamed; merchants relied on eye-catching images to attract customers. Many of the original signs are now in museums or private collections. Historical accuracy is the key to the rugs and each rug has an interesting story. Long-time American history buffs, Karl and Mary Jo, will share those stories. The rugs in this collection are primarily hooked with recycled wool in keeping with the love for all things old using wider cuts (#8-#9) with narrower cuts used for detailing and outlining.
This presentation will take place in the exhibit hall, so that Karl and Mary Jo can refer to individual rugs, discuss interesting details and answer questions. Seating will be provided for all attendees.
Level: No Experience Necessary. Everyone welcome, no prior rug hooking knowledge or experience required.
Karl retired from human resources consulting in 1997 and began pursuing his interests in the American Revolution and the decorative arts of the 18th and 19th centuries. He began carving birds in the tradition of the Pennsylvania German artisans and making small boxes with old looking finishes. All that was set aside when he became engrossed with rug hooking. Karl is responsible for public relations for the Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild and its newsletter, The Loop. He also handled PR for the 2011 ATHA Biennial that was held in Lancaster, PA. 