Backgrounds & Borders with Gail Dufresne - June 25-29, 2023

The Class:

When we decide on a subject for a new rug, we often don’t consider how to treat the negative space, or background, around the main motifs. This space is often larger than the subject itself and the use of it is a key element of artistic composition. Rather than using just one wool, think about mixing several. Or think about combining your design with, or superimposing your design onto, a great geometric background. And might the addition of a border enhance and strengthen the design? Gail will share with you how to add interesting borders and backgrounds without detracting from the main motifs, primarily through the effective use of values. Bring a rug in progress or start a new one with Gail's guidance.

Teacher Bio:

Gail’s mother and sister began making rugs when she was 16, so she grew up surrounded with rugs and rug makers. She herself started making rugs in 1984. She’s now a McGown certified teacher and has been teaching at camps and private workshops around the United States and Canada since April, 2000. Her class topics include rug hooking for beginners, as well as classes on inch mats, sheep, sunflowers, sculpting, proddy, mixed media, optical illusions, dyeing, geometrics, and abstraction. She most often teaches open classes where anything goes.  She says, “I find them to be the most challenging and fun. They  keep me hopping. “

Her work has been featured in numerous fiber art shows and contests, and she’s had several rugs selected for Rug Hooking Magazine's annual Celebrations. She was also a Celebrations judge twice. Since her work has appeared in at least five Celebration editions, she was included in the Celebration Hall Of Fame, which is in honor of the magazine's 30th anniversary. Her rug”Lizards and Ladders"  design was featured in the magazine Piecework.  She was the featured teacher and artist at Sauder Village in 2004. 

She’s written many articles for Rug Hooking Magazine and served on its editorial board for years. Her work has appeared on its cover several times. Gail has contributed to several books and, her own book, Geometric Hooked Rugs was published by Rug Hooking Magazine in 2010. Her second book, Rug Hooking With Fancy Fibers,  for Rug Hooking Magazine was published in 2016. 

She co-wrote a "Teach The Teachers" course with Cynthia Norwood, which they’ve presented  at several  ATHA biennials. Gail was the President of ATHA (Association of Traditional Hooking Artists) for ten years and also served as the Vice President. She currently serves as the ATHA Education Chair. In that capacity she works with a great team to promote the art of rug hooking. 

Find her on Face Book,"Goat Hill Designs”; “Pfunny Sheep Designs”, and “Goat Hill Designs Rug Hooking Cruises”, and her website, www.goathilldesigns.com

$70 of your tuition is a non-refundable registration fee. Cancellations by May 1, 2023, will receive a $395 refund. No refunds are offered after June 1, 2023.  Tuition includes Sunday Welcome Dinner, four days of class, and lunch each day.

This year, all students are responsible for arranging their own accommodation, including rooms at the Capitol Plaza Hotel which offers a special rate for Rug School Students! Call the hotel at 802-223-5252 and mention you are a Green Mountain Rug School student to receive this discount. This discount does not apply to reservations made online.