The Noah's Ark Project
The remarkable "Noah's Ark" is a magnificent multi-media production combining both ceramics, wood burning, and rug hooking. It was created by Mary Sheppard Burton (noted USA Rug Hooking artist) and Leonard E. Feenan (distinguished artist) with the involvement of more than 20 rug hookers from both the United States and Canada.
It has had several debuts including: the 2009 TIGER Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, Hooking by the River in Charlestown, WV, a local museum in Charlestown, WV, 2010 Sauder Village Show in Archbold, OH, and at Halton Hills Cultural Centre Gallery in Georgetown, Ontario.
It has been transported to Queensland, Nova Scoita where it will be permanently displayed at the newly created Hooked Rug Museum of North America (founded by Suzanne Conrod). The Ark's creators have been strong supporters of the Hooked Rug Museum. The pairs combined skills and devotion to rug hooking and its evolvement to a fine art level are epitomized in the contribution of the Noah's Ark masterpiece HRMNA's permanent collection. The museum is tentatively to be opened in 2011 and will showcase some two to three centuries of the crafts evolvement in fine art from a utilitarian purpose introduced by early European settlement.
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Be sure and order your new Noah’s Ark DVDs’, tote bags, and 22oz water bottles while they last! Check out the Mementos webpage.
The Canadian Debut of “Noah’s Ark”
By Mary Sheppard Burton and Leonard E. Feenan
Noah’s Ark arrived in Ontario, Canada on August 25th, 2010 in preparation for opening night at Georgetown Rug Hooking Guild’s 2010 Gallery Show. Georgetown Guild presents the wonderful work of its member’s rugs, wall hangings and pillows at their local Library every year for everyone to enjoy these wonderful pieces. At this year’s event the star attraction was “Noah’s Ark”.
Mary Sheppard Burton, a renowned Rug Hooking Artist, along with Leonard E. Feenan created this wonderful three dimensional work of Art. More than 230 people arrive on opening night to view this collaboration on Stage and to share with Mary and Lenny (as he likes to be referred to) this wonderful contribution to the history of rug hooking.
No amount of words could ever describe this wonderful piece of art work so cleverly executed by Mary and Lenny. The wood structure was hand built by Lenny. The patterns for all 135 animals, hooked by Canadian and US Rug Hookers, and assembled by Barbara Barton, and the entire water scene on its hull, were custom drawn by Lenny. Mary hand hooked, in 3 and 4 cut strips of wool, the entire body of the underwater scene that adorned its hull and animals that reside on its deck.
Mary Sheppard Burton has donated “Noah’s Ark to the “Hooked Rug Museum of North America Society” that will soon open in Queensland, Nova Scotia. Suzanne Conrod (Founder of the Museum) arrived in town, to officially receive this Work of Art handed over by Mary’s grand daughter, Jennifer Zamora, at the evening’s gala. The Ark will make its journey to its final resting place in Nova Scotia, so that it can continue to be seen by the young and old for years to come.
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Mary Sheppard Burton, 1922 -2010, was an extraordinary woman, who spoke to all, through her passion for rug hooking. Mary was a master at her Art form, a wonderful kind and generous person, with one objective in life, to share with others her love of Rug Hooking. Although Mary was not with us, we all knew that she was there is spirit and that, that spirit, will live on forever through the sharing of her passion of “Rug Hooking”.
Story By: Jan Lord-Giraldi
