On Monday, February 13, 2023, the Heritage Committee of Witless Bay hosted a heritage event as part of Winterfest. Over 50 hooked mats of various styles, sizes, and ages were displayed at the Puffin Centre. Created by rug hookers from the southern shore, other areas of Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, and the USA, the colourful display of mats combined images of traditional patterns and original designs by the makers. Of particular interest was a traditional mat from Tilting, Fogo Island circa 1930s or 1940s, rugs hooked based on patterns of the Grenfell Mission, and original designs depicting local scenes, such as an ocean view from a window, and a saltbox house. Besides viewing the mats, rug hookers were working on new mats and provided advice to visitors on their own rug hooking projects. Visitors were treated to tea with homemade cake/cookies, compliments of the Heritage Committee.
As a result of the event, there seems to be a lot of interest in mat hooking and there is talk of forming a group together in this area. Interested readers can contact the Heritage Committee of Witless Bay through its Facebook Page.
