Jill Comolli from Rose Bay is on the board of directors of MTRI and expresses her appreciation of the rugs.
“These rugs are unique and are the top-of-the-line in quality,” say Comolli.
Rug hooking is a traditional craft in Nova Scotia that dates back to the earliest settlements in the Maritimes and the surrounding region. Typically, wool hooked rugs are highly valued and because these rugs use personally dyed wool and are of unique design and high quality these 2’ by 3’ rugs are special treasures.
The rugs that took between 2 to 3 months to complete were designed after Christian Kasperkovitz’s species at risk post card series. Kasperkovitz’s business, Elkprint, produces drawings of many charismatic species at risk like the Piping Plover, Blanding’s Turtle and Peregrine Falcon and have been sold by MTRI to raise awareness of such species.
The Blanding’s turtle rug was hooked by Diane Clapp, who has been a strong supporter of MTRI’s mission in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve since its foundation seven years ago.
“It is very important to expose MTRI from many different angles,” says Clapp, “and they (the rugs) give a unique slant on species at risk within Nova Scotia.”
Clapp would like to see the rugs provide awareness of not only the threatened species that the rugs encapsulate, but also of rug hooking in Nova Scotia.
Rug hooking is a relaxing pastime, but “you really have to pay attention to what you’re doing,” says Clapp. Clapp gets together with other rug hookers every Tuesday at Moose River Rug Hooking Studio in Clementsport. Some of them have been hooking rugs for 15 years or more. Clapp describes the meetings as a social gathering to help one another out.
Indeed these rugs are rare items, which reflect the species that they depict. For now, they will be on display at the MTRI’s community room in Kempt. Rugs like these are pieces of art, and should be appreciated as such. For as long as these are around the Monarch Butterfly will have a place forever spreading the word of conservation thanks to these poster size artwork.
Susan, We can make any of these patterns for you. If you are interested, please send an email to info@mooseriverstudio.com Hetty, Moose River Rug Hooking Studio