About

Artist's Statement

Rooted in the rich tradition of rug hooking, my work has always celebrated the rhythm of handwork, the tactile beauty of fibre, and the stories woven through each loop and line. I began with time-honoured methods - wool strips, burlap backing, and the slow, meditative pull of the hook. These early works honoured the domestic arts, a lineage of craftswomen whose creativity was often quietly stitched into the fabric of home.

Over time, my practice has evolved. I now work with hand-cut materials of all kinds (e.g. textiles, paper, repurposed objects, organic fibres) transforming them into dimensional wall art that challenges the boundaries between craft and fine art. While I remain grounded in the techniques and sensibilities of traditional rug hooking, I’ve expanded the language of the medium to express a broader, more abstract narrative.

Each piece is a tactile exploration of texture, memory, and transformation. I am drawn to materials with a past, often reclaimed or re-imagined, and I work intuitively, letting colour, shape, and surface guide the composition.

My goal is not only to preserve a heritage craft but to push it forward, elevating everyday materials into something contemplative and unexpected. Through this work, I honour both the past and the possibility inherent in reinvention.

About the Artist

Donna Hutchinson lives on the Gulf Shore on the Northumberland Strait of Nova Scotia where she retired from teaching in 2004. With broad vistas of ocean, a variety of wildlife and a spectacular view of three provinces linked by the bridge to PEI, the magic of this landscape is captured by her passion for traditional rug hooking.

Donna, a fibre artist, creates joyous and whimsical hooked rugs and wall hangings. She uses mainly recycled materials including wool, yarn, silk, lace, fleece, and even Stanfield’s wool underwear! Donna is a member of RHGNS (Rug Hookers’ Guild of NS), Remsheg Hookers’ Guild, and The Pugwash Artist Collective. She has mounted a solo show, and has participated in various art group shows. She has sold dozens of art mats that hang in homes across Canada; created works on commission, and donated rugs to charitable organizations for fundraising.