Beds and floors ‘covered’ with new SAMA exhibit partnership

The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art-Ligonier Valley exhibition, “A Celebration of Texture and Pattern: Hooked Rugs and Historic Coverlets,” features a collaboration between Ligonier resident Barb Carroll and the National Museum of the American Coverlet in Bedford.

A rug-hooking enthusiast since the 1980s, Carroll creates rug patterns and writes about her art.

“This is going to be a really cool beans exhibit, I promise,” says Carroll.

She and a friend became interested in rug hooking while she was living in Missouri, she says, and found what she calls a “teacher/mentor.”

“Turns out, honestly I just took to it like a duck takes to water. I have my own style,” she says.

Carroll formerly operated a small conference center near Ligonier where she taught rug hooking to clients from around the country. She’s long been a fan of the coverlets at the Bedford County museum.

“I love the talent and the history. … I was blown away by the designs. I asked for permission to design patterns using motifs from the coverlets,” she says.

Her admiration for the national museum’s coverlet displays has led to a partnership in creating the exhibit, on display Aug. 16-Oct. 27 at the 1 Boucher Lane, Ligonier Township, site.

This exhibition will pair historic coverlets with modern hooked rugs inspired by the colorful and graphic patterned original “period” coverlets from the Coverlet Museum.

“People shipped rugs in from all over. All of the pattern designs are mine,” Carroll says. “There are some very large and some small rugs. It’s an exhibit you won’t see anywhere else.”

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, many household items were handwoven. Coverlets were crafted with hand-dyed yarns, signed and dated, and were considered a showpiece for the weavers, SAMA museum officials note.

A reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17, with a $25 admission fee.

There also will be a Lunch a L’Art with Carroll from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 22, with an admission fee of $22.

Details: 724-238-6015 or email ligonier@sama-art.org