Rug Show Roadmap: How to Look at a Rug Show

Flower Power, Cindy Irwin designer and maker. I was drawn to the uniqueness of this piece, not only the composition, but the materials used. The beads lend so much to the piece, as does the lush velvet. There is purple dyed salmon skin from Iceland in the vase. I had never seen that before and was in awe.

Text and Photography by Rebecca Martin

Rug shows come in all shapes and sizes. I have attended tiny shows in coffee shops, medium-sized shows at art centers and libraries, and large juried shows that require a ticket for entry. Sometimes there are rugs on the floor and scattered on tables; other times I am greeted with professional lighting and top-notch display boards. Size and venue do not matter to me—I just want to be there. And if we are honest, it doesn’t even have to be a rug show at all for me to glean inspiration for my rug hooking. Quilt shows, weaving guild shows, galleries, and museums are all fodder for my future work.

Tips for the Trip

• Go with a friend
• Walk the show more than once
• Find something in each piece
• Take photos of the work and the label
• Listen to those around you
• Spend time with each rug, even if it isn’t your style
• View your rug-show photos months later

I am always on the lookout for the same pattern hooked different ways. These stunning Della Robbia wreaths were a delight to see and ponder. The pillow wreath caught my eye with the use of directional hooking and how just a few values made for excellent shading of the pinecones. The Waldoboro version (sculpted) drew me right in, what a unique interpretation of the pattern. I made sure to take a photo from the side to capture some of the finishing details.

Attending a rug show can range from a casual walk admiring beautiful pieces to a deep creative journey, depending on how you approach it. There is not one way to enjoy a show; the latter happens to be my preferred way to get the most out of my time surrounded by the fiber art I so enjoy. Let’s start from the beginning, before you even enter the show. I highly recommend attending shows with a friend. This isn’t about companionship, although that is a side benefit; it is about seeing the art through someone else’s eyes. It is like a two-for-one ticket. Not only will you be taking in and processing what you see, but you will have the perspective of another to deepen the experience. Even those who like the exact same styles and colors will be drawn to different pieces. This isn’t a formal thing; it just happens. As you walk the show, you will naturally share with each other what catches your eye, and the conversations that come out of that are gold.

Related to that are the conversations that one overhears or starts with others while viewing the show. So often in our modern lives we live in our own lanes, with so much being online. To be out and about with people I do not know, enjoying art, is something special. Conversely, the fiber-art world is small, so although you are walking through a public show, the chance of running into someone you know is high—and that is part of the fun. I especially love crossing paths with children. They see the show at a whole different level, literally. They notice things we don’t and often lack the volume control to keep their excitement to themselves. I will always turn in the direction of a child’s voice to see what is capturing their attention; more often than not, it is something I overlooked and am glad to see. A final reason to keep your ears open to other people’s conversations is that you might meet some of the artists in the show. I have had this happen more than once, and it makes for such a memorable experience. A rug show is truly a communal experience. There is an energy and excitement as people of all ages enjoy their time viewing the rugs—don’t miss the opportunities to meet and interact with those around you.

After all that chatting and interacting, it is nice to take a break. If the schedule and venue allow, I love to walk a show and then take a break for coffee or a meal and then walk the show a second time. This is also where having a friend along is a plus. The pause allows for refreshment and further conversation about what was seen. Then you head back into the show and see it again. It really is a magic trick—try it. I usually walk the show in the opposite direction, and I often go in for the second viewing with a specific goal in mind. Usually, that goal alternates between focusing on color plans and finishing. The first pass is all about soaking in the work, chatting with my companion and others, and enjoying the energy of seeing everything for the first time. My second pass is for personal study. Walking the show more than once makes such a difference in what I take away. I guarantee you will see something new during your second turn through the show.

On both my first and second pass through a show, I enjoy taking many photos. First, it is important to make sure this is allowed. Second, it is recommended to photograph the piece and the label. For later reflection on the show, having a photo of the label is not always necessary, but if you intend to post any of your photos on social media, it is polite and informative to include the label. You also never know when you will want to know who made a piece. Weeks later you might find yourself reflecting on a certain aspect of a rug and wish you could contact the artist. It also helps to build community to attach a name to a piece. Over time, you will begin to recognize different artists’ work; you might even meet them someday or take a class from them. A quick scroll through your photos gives you their names, since you took a photo of both the work and the label.

The photos I take on my first and second passes vary. Pieces that stop me in my tracks are photographed. Unusual or unexpected pieces are recorded, as are any works by people I personally know. I love sending a text or email to someone to let them know how much I enjoyed seeing their work. The second time I view the show, I have my research hat on, and all my photos are close-up shots of borders, textures, and special technique details. I especially like photographing any work that has multiples of the same pattern. I find this both intriguing and useful for studying how two different artists interpret the same design.

Photos are also very useful to me, as my memory just isn’t as sharp as I would like. I give myself grace on this and chuckle when I look through my photos months later and feel like I am seeing them for the first time. This can also be used as a teaching tool: Which photos are “brand new” to me and which are not? The ones I remember clearly—why is that? What about those pieces caused them to find their way into my long-term memory, and is there something I can learn from that?

On the topic of study, all those photos can be used for years to come to inspire you. The advantage of a digital photo is the ability to zoom. I need a quiet space to really reflect on and learn from the work of others. Well after the show, I enjoy zooming in on photos and admiring textures, colors, techniques, and more. A zoomed-in image can give you detail you might not have noticed in person. My favorite travel tip is to use time on an airplane or as a passenger on a road trip to scroll through photos. Delete duplicates, clear things up, maybe even create folders to group them. While away the travel hours doing digital housekeeping and enjoying another virtual visit to the show.

My final thought on rug shows is a challenge: I challenge myself, and I want to challenge you, to find something to take away from every piece you see. This isn’t an assignment or a chore—think of it as an artistic workout. We all have our preferred styles, and it is easy to walk briskly by certain works thinking they don’t pertain to us and our artistic journey. But they do—there is something in every rug in the show that can be admired and appreciated. I love spending time with rugs I would never make—maybe they are too complicated, too large, or not my colors—but that doesn’t matter. It becomes a treasure hunt: finding something you can learn.

Next time you have the opportunity to attend a rug show, grab a friend and head out knowing you are not only going to admire fiber art, but you are also embarking on your own personal rug-hooking road trip that can result in not just a nice afternoon, but a deep learning experience you can carry into your next rug.

Some rugs stop you in your tracks and photos are taken in both the first and second pass through the show. This was one of them! I love all the textures and alternative techniques. The standing wool used in the tree branch had me leaning in close. Quillies always make me smile and the variety of materials in the peacock’s body intrigued me.