The Museum for Textiles in Toronto, Ontario has just closed "Matting Season: Hooked Mats of the Grenfell Mission" which opened November 20, 1999. The exhibition, which features 106 hooked mats and a sampling of other related Industrial products made for the Grenfell Mission of Newfoundland and Labrador is currently "resting" before beginning a two year travel schedule. This exhibition offers and in-depth look at the scope and variety of the flawlessly hooked mats produced for the Mission between roughly 1918 to 1950 and presents a vivid picture of the lives of the fishing families.

"Trout Leaping Over the Map of Newfoundland" silk or rayon stocking material, dyed;

     Distinctively Northern images of Polar bears on ice floes, dog teams pulling komatiks to medical emergencies, ducks and geese flying over treetops, sailing schooners plying the icy waters, quiet outport views, puffins, seagulls and whales, bold floral and geometric designs and people at work and play are all hooked using donated, worn silk and rayon stockings and underwear. The colours of the Northern lights: cool greens, warm yellows, bright crimsons, soft whites and pale mauves mix with the surprise of bright orange moons and add dimension and life to these scenes of the frozen North. "Matting Season" is borrowed from 35 lenders comprising private, corporate and public collections. The Museum for Textiles is the first Canadian museum to present a comprehensive exhibition of these mats. The exhibition will be presented from September 10th through October 27, 2000, at the Grenfell Interpretation Center, St. Anthony, Newfoundland. www3.nf.sympatico.ca/grenfell

"Fish on Flake" Designer: Rhoda Dawson (1897-1992) Silk and rayon stocking material, undyed with more information.

Confirmed Travel Venues:

         Grenfell Interpretation Center, St. Anthony, Newffoundland.
                  September 10 - October 27,2000.
                  OPENING RECEPTION September 9, 2000.
                  Please call 709-454-4010 for further information.
                  www3.nf.sympatico.ca/grenfell
         Montreal area at the Cultural Centre of the City of Pointe- Clair,
         Stewart Hall, 176 Lakeshore Road, Point Clair, Quebec
                  January 20-March 10, 2001
                  OPENING RECEPTION January 21, 2001.
                  Please call 514-630-1254 for further information.
         Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland
                  May 25 - August 19, 2001
                  OPENING RECEPTION May 27, 2001.
                  Please call 709-737-2427 for further information.
                  www.mun.ca/agnl
         Red Deer and District Museum, Red Deer, Alberta
                  September 23-October 31, 2001
         Art Gallery of Nova Scotia,
                  May 18-September 8, 2002
                  www.agns.ednet.ns.ca
        
© 2000, Paula Laverty