Things often happen in casual conversation – ideas get shared, built upon and the seeds are set for creativity to flourish and grow. That’s how A Whale of a Tale…with Hooks, Lines and Singers began. This project, which combines music and textile art, was conceived over dinner one night at a friend’s home. The conversation drifted to a rug project that some of us were working on, and the excitement of it with anticipation of a trip to Ireland and an exhibit at the Ros Tapestry Centre. This was followed by speculation about the next group project and what it might be.

Several guests at the table had participated in Festival 500 Sharing the Voices and one person, Dr. Andrea Rose, was intimately involved as a member of the Artistic Team for this biennial event. So no surprise, ideas began to take shape about what it might be like to do a project that focused on the Festival’s theme, The Power of Song.

Months later after a reconnect to explore the seriousness on both sides this rug hooking project spawned and the power of song gave strength to a timely collaboration between the Five Island Art Gallery, Ennis Designs, the Five Island Rug Hooking Group and the Festival 500 board of directors and staff. Flanker Press later came on board for the production of this book.