Give a Gift
The ATHA Biennial will feature a hooked-rug gallery, hooking workshops, and vendor booths.
TEXT BY PAMELA VAN LIEU/PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ATHA
Mark your calendars and pack your hooks! The Association of Traditional Hooking Artists (ATHA) invites you to Salt Lake City, Utah, from September 9-12, 2026, for a convention that promises to be as awe inspiring as the fiber-arts community it celebrates.
Join us at The Little America Hotel, European-style charm and spacious, well-appointed guest rooms. Between workshop sessions, enjoy the hotel’s renowned hospitality with hearty lunch buffets and elegant evening sit-down dinners. For welcome relaxation, our cash bar offers the perfect place to socialize.
On Wednesday, September 9, stop by the Meet and Greet, enjoy a welcoming venue featuring a light evening meal and the cash bar, and attend the ATHA General Membership Meeting.
Whether you are a seasoned expert or curious beginner, our 2026 lineup of talented teachers is designed to spark your imagination! Our classrooms will be the centers of creativity, offering techniques that will provide inspiration and excitement.
Expect a premier gathering of vendors offering a diverse array of rug-hooking accessories; patterns; hand-dyed wool; and punch-needle, rug-hooking, and wool-appliqué kits. From the unique gift items offered, you’ll find the perfect treasure for your collection.
Wander through the breathtaking gallery that proves hooked rugs have evolved far beyond their use as beautiful floor coverings. Fiber artists are breaking boundaries by incorporating shimmering silk, textured yarns, and sparkling beads to create highlights and movement. Look for rugs that use roving and proddy techniques that make flowers bloom off the backing, or intricate three-dimensional pieces that transform fiber into sculptural art. Stunning pieces will showcase traditional fine-cut shading and wide-cut primitive designs.
Unlike a museum, where you view from a distance, the ATHA exhibit is a community celebration where you may find yourself standing next to the very artists who hooked the amazing works of art, ready to engage in conversation.
We are honored to welcome renowned Canadian fiber artist Yvonne Iten-Scott as she presents “Magnificent Bugs in Rugs,” a creative collaboration between Yvonne and Leslie Knight. This fascinating collection features a children’s companion book coauthored by Yvonne and Leslie, which explores the delightful history and inspiration behind each piece.
Yvonne will also teach a two-day workshop, “Textile Alchemy—A Fusion of Fiber Art Techniques.” In this innovative class, students will explore the transformative boundaries of fiber art under Yvonne’s expert guidance.
“Get ready to bid!” Our silent auction offers a curated collection of hand-dyed wool, rug-hooking and punch-needle supplies, wool appliqué, jewelry, and more. The live auction features high-value items and experiences designed to capture your interest. Your participation in our auctions allows ATHA to continue preserving and sharing the art of rug hooking.
“We’ve set the stage in the heart of the West”—all that’s missing is you. Join us in the “Bee Hive State,” and discover why the Salt Lake City ATHA Convention 2026 is where the tradition of the past meets the innovation of the future! Visit atharugs.com for more information.