Jo Franco will deliver both the 
“Textile Tessera” and launch the Exhibition of “Re-imagined” a mixed media fibre art challenge next week at Sauder Village (Ohio, USA).
Jo’s background with all things fibre and her specialized McGown accreditation makes her uniquely qualified to speak to our North American colleagues about how Australian fiber artists have pushed the traditional craft of rug hooking into the realm of textiles and mixed media art.
Generally speaking, rug making is not held in high esteem by other textile artists so, both the “Textile Tessera” (as an interactive fibre installation ) and “Re-imagined” (the first-ever virtual, on-line juried exhibition for mixed media fibre art) were designed to show that the craft of rug making can be effective in social, environmental and artistic pursuits.
Following years of travel and study of all things fibre, Jo has focused her creative energies so as to sweep interested people into the Guild, write and produce blog articles, and facilitate community groups on her travels by offering a range of rug-making workshops and demonstrations.
Jo has created networks and linkages among and between the City of 
Wannaroo, Rugmaking and community groups across Australia and overseas, and through work with a range of collaborative projects. These links are strengthened by generously sharing her knowledge of this traditional craft through demonstrations and public talks – anywhere – anytime.
Jo’s commitment to sharing her knowledge and skills is perhaps best illustrated through her installation piece “Handing it on” from the Walking with Totems exhibition.
(The 1920s rug of recycled muted coloured clothing is connected to a contemporary rug made with recycled contemporary fabrics like bright sari-silk off-cuts and novelty yarns. The group of arms and hands represent the women from the community and also made from recycled fabric – old and new – and each holds new and old hooking tools.)
This is just a small sample of what Jo has to offer to fibre and textile art and we are proud that she will be representing the creative talents of Australia’s rug hookers and fiber/textile artists.
Once again, Jo “delivers the goods’ on behalf 
of this traditional craft!
Update: 12 August 2018
Sauder Village is also very excited about the launch of the “Re-imagined” exhibition and is promoting it as their …”very 1st “VIRTUAL” Exhibit… ‘Re-imagined a Challenge with a Difference’ — debuts at Rug Hooking Week where the work of talented artists from the Southern Hemisphere – Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific will be shown.”
“Jo Franco will be giving us hands-on-demonstrations of various techniques & answering questions about rug hooking in Australian & the ‘Re-imagined Challenge.” You can find Jo in the exhibit hall by this Virtual Exhibit.”
“Welcome to all of the Southern Hemisphere artists who will be joining us via the world-wide-web during RHW!”
This is terrific support from our North American colleagues and we hope they enjoy the presentation of our fiber/textile, mixed-media art!
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