RHGNL Rug School 2026
Winter Solstice
Terra Nova Golf Resort, PortBlandford NL
Save these dates: Thursday October 22 to Sunday October 25, 2026.
Registration opens Monday, June 1st at 10:00am. REGISTER HERE →
Plans are moving along for our annual Rug School! Our theme this year reflects the beginnings of the dark half of the year, which occurs the night of October 31 – November 1. The Winter Solstice aligns with Halloween and the time when the veil between the living and the dead is the thinnest. Winter Solstice is also closely associated with rebirth, new beginnings, and overcoming darkness. Since this is the first year that Rug School will be held in the Fall, we wanted to exemplify all the wonderful and meaningful changes that happen this time of year.
Rug school will be held at the Terra Nova Resort in Port Blandford, NL. On-site registration will begin Thursday afternoon with classes starting Thursday evening. Rug School will conclude with the end of your selected course on Sunday morning. Online registration will open at 10am on Monday, June 1, 2026. All the information you need to know to be ready to register will be outlined below. We’ve got a great line up of teachers with new and exciting courses that we think will expand your rug hooking skills and repertoire. Full details on the courses are included below, and teachers will communicate with students after registration to provide more details on what you will need to bring. As always, you can sign up for “On-Your-Own” – the opportunity to come to rug school and hook on your project with others who want to be at the school but aren’t wanting to take a course.
Registration and Payment Method
You must be a member of the RHGNL to register for Rug School. You can join by going to the membership page on the RHGNL website, rhgnl.ca. Registration will be done online. We suggest that you go to the website before June 1 to ensure you have access to the website, and so that any issues can be resolved before registration goes live. We strongly suggest you do not wait until the morning of June 1 because you risk missing out on the course of your choice.
Please contact Maureen Ashfield at this email address info@rhgnl.ca for assistance.
To secure your spot, all payments must be made by credit card or e-transfer at the time of registration. Given the line-up of courses this year, we expect courses will fill up quickly, so be sure to register in a timely manner if there is a particular course you really want to take.
If you have any questions about payment, please contact the Registrar at this email address registrar@rhgnl.ca prior to the date of course registration (June 1, 2026). All tuition fees must be paid by August 20, 2026.
Courses are listed on the registration form. Participant numbers will be capped at 15 per course (except On-Your-Own). If your first choice is full, please make an alternate choice. If you wish to be added to the wait list for a course, please contact the Registrar at registrar@rhgnl.ca immediately after you complete your registration.
If you need to withdraw from Rug School, our cancellation policy is as follows: if you withdraw on or before the final payment deadline (August 20, 2026), you will receive a refund of what you have paid, minus a $35 administration fee. If you withdraw after August 20, 2026, you will not receive a refund unless your position can be filled by another student. The administration fee of $35 will still apply.
Rug School Costs
For participants staying on site, the amounts you will be charged for accommodations and meals are the amounts the Terra Nova Resort charges us. For commuters, you’ll have the option to choose meals at the cost we are charged by the centre. Tuition fees have been set to cover the cost of 18 hours of instruction with certified rug hooking teachers.
- Registration fee (all participants) $75
- On-site: Accommodation and meal costs for participants staying on-site (includes
accommodations for 3 nights in hotel/motel type rooms with private bathroom and all meals)
- Single occupancy: $796.00
- Double occupancy: $541.00
- Triple Occupancy: $505.00
3. Commuters: Meals
- Breakfast: $29.00
- Lunch: $29.00
- Supper: $43.00
- Banquet (Saturday night): $56.00
4. Tuition for Classes:
- Classes with Teacher: $179
- On your own: $113
Vendors
Those interested in applying for shop space to sell rug hooking supplies are asked to send an expression of interest to Rug School director Christina Oates at Christina.oates@hotmail.com. Let us know what you will be selling, how many tables you would like, and how much extra space (if any) you would ideally need. Once we know how many vendors want space, we’ll contact you with availability. Please note that vendors must agree to pay the RHGNL 5% of their sales, not including any money made by rug school teachers selling course materials to their class participants. Thank you in advance for your interest.
Challenge Mat and Viewer’s Choice Awards
Rug school participants are invited to hook a mat reflecting our theme – Winter Solstice – to enter for the Challenge Mat Award. Some examples of motifs that reflect this theme include evergreens, candles, yule logs, oak trees, animals like deer or ravens, fall scenery, and your favourite spooky-season imagery. In addition, bring along a favourite rug (on any theme) to display for the Viewer’s Choice Award. People want to see what hookers do – and your mat could earn you a reward.
Mini-mat Exchange
Hook a mat 5×5 inches on any theme and label your mat on the back. We’ll hold a Mini-Mat Swap on the last night of camp.
Bursaries
Limited bursaries are available to assist with the cost of attending Rug School. As outlined in the RHGNL Constitution, “when financially viable, Rug School will offer two bursaries annually – one of free tuition to any Guild member who is in need of financial assistance and another to any member who lives in Labrador in the amount of $500 to assist with travel expenses to attend Rug School. A three member committee will decide on the recipients after viewing the applications which will be kept in complete confidence.
Please contact Christina Oates (Rug School Director) at rugschool@rhgnl.ca if you would like to apply for a bursary or nominate another person. The deadline to apply for either bursary is Monday, May 18, 2026.
Courses
Fine Shading Flowers with Diana Dove
Target audience:
Beginner with experience, intermediate, advanced
Description:
Participants will first learn about swatches, including how to cut and hook with a #3 and #4 cut. The course will then focus on how to mock and finger the shading of leaves and flowers, and how to choose a background colour. Upon completion of their rugs, they will see their flowers come to life!
Kit Cost:
$75, includes a selection of swatches and a binder of information
No Stress Introduction to Hooking Portraits with Winnie Glavine
Target audience:
Beginner with experience, intermediate, advanced
Description:
In this course, participants will work with the shape of a woman’s face and allow her to come to life. Once her face is underway, participants will turn their attention towards a hat, which will provide ample opportunity for embellishments and creativity. A couple of pattern choices will be available, but please note, this course does not work from pictures of real people.
Kit Cost:
$25, includes 6 value portrait swatches
Beginners/Advanced Beginners – Geometrics with Diane Hodder
Target audience:
Beginner, beginner with experience
Description:
An introductory rug hooking course that covers the range of tools and materials required for hooking. Participants will learn skills through practice by hooking a geometric pattern using cut wool fabric. This course will also include a discussion on designing geometrics, finishing techniques, and care of completed rugs.
Kit Cost:
$80.00, includes cut wool fabric, pattern on linen, and hook
Hooking a Mola with Debbie Howse
Target audience:
Beginner with experience, intermediate, advanced
Description:
This course focuses on mola rug hooking designs, which are inspired by the vibrantly coloured and intricately appliquéd panels created and worn by the Kuna women of Panama. After briefly looking at the cultural significance of the mola, participants will explore its key design elements. They will then design, colour plan, and hook their own mola using triple cord whipping to finish their piece.
Kit Cost: N/A
The Art of Landscape with Molly White
Target audience:
Beginner with experience, intermediate, advanced
Description:
Participants in this course will learn to create a landscape using basic design techniques that apply theories such as the rule of thirds, composition, and colour. They will hook a provided 12” x 16” landscape scene using these design methods.
Kit Cost:
$40, includes a selection of fibres