THANK YOU!
Over a year ago when we originally sent out the Jersey Girls Challenge to any and all that wished to participate we had know idea of the number, in the rug hooking community that would response. To our pleasant surprise rugs arrived from all over the United States and even as far away as Krakow, Poland, this has made this an international rug show. The attendance was great and the most heard comment from our guests was that there was much beauty and diversity in the rugs on display. All styles were represented from traditional fine cut, to wide cut primitive, dull and dark, light and bright, proddy and embellished rugs, thus having something included to please everyone’s taste. Many remarked that due to the large selection of outstanding rugs, they found it difficult to decide which rugs they would mark their ballots for in the People’s Choice Rug poll. But vote they did and we are please to present the rugs that were chosen.
The rug show was a huge success due to all those that helped with the behind the scenes planning, actual setup, take down and especially those that took the time to hook Jersey Girl rugs. It was a big undertaking that we could not have done without you. As the show sponsor the Alice Beatty Chapter of ATHA wishes to express our thanks and appreciation for your loyal support and help in making this rug show successful and very special. Jersey Girls Rock!!!
—Janet Santaniello,
Alice Beatty
ATHA Chapter
CLICK HERE
to see more beautiful photos from the show by taken by Claudia Casebolt.
Jersey Girls Exhibit a Huge Success!
The weather was ideal and people came from far and near to admire over 250 rugs on display. When the exhibit doors closed, over 500 people had streamed through the Oldwick Fire House during the two days of the exhibit on April 24 & 25, 2009. Many were experienced rug hookers, but a goodly number, including many men, were not. They came to admire contemporary hooked rugs. Over half of the rugs were dedicated to the New Jersey theme. There was a lot of variety from primitive to fine hooking with a wide range of subjects including animals, pictorials, floral, fruits, people, shore and geometrics. A number of rugs were submitted from other states with one rug from a woman in Krakow, Poland. She had never been to New Jersey but had downloaded a satellite picture and hooked it with plastic bags, jute, yarn and other materials. It was one of the many creative rugs on display.
Outstanding vendors from the area — Norma Batastini, Margaret Lutz, Linda Woodbury, and Two Old Crows – provided a nice selection of equipment, patterns and wool. Rug hooking demonstrations were held throughout the two days.
A special memorial table was dedicated to Patsy Becker who recently passed away. Patsy was a member of Alice Beatty ATHA Chapter before relocating to Cape Cod. The memorial table displayed the rug that she had hooked for the Playing Cards Exhibit and other rugs that were hooked using her patterns. One of Patsy’s paintings was also on display.
Chapter President, Janet Santaniello, and the entire Alice Beatty ATHA Chapter are to be congratulated on the success of the exhibit. They deserve the thanks of the rug hooking community and admirers for all their work.
— Karl Gimber, Source: www.hcrag.com
People's Choice Awards
First Place: "Washington Crossing NJ" by Margaret Brightbill
Original design adapted from a painting by Emanuel Leutze
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Second Place: "Jersey Girls Don't Pump Gas" by Norma Batastini
Original design
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Third Place: "Hunterdon County Jersey Girls" by Janet Bosshard
Original design
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Favorite Non-jersey rug: "Colonial Quilt" by Jeannine Happ
Original design
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