We are pleased to announce that registration for Hooked 2026 is now open.
BE INSPIRED + CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
Hooked is a curated two-day luxury rug hooking retreat and a wonderful opportunity to explore new approaches to your own artistic practice while working alongside internationally recognized textile artist, Heather Goodchild.
Goodchild will share her diverse knowledge through discussions and provide insight into her own process as inspiration for creative growth and exchange. The retreat will include an artist talk, on-site wool boutique, pop up exhibition and ample time to delve into your own work while enjoying all the amenities of the Hockley Valley Resort, a glamorous boutique resort located in the Hills of Headwaters, in the heart of Ontario’s most picturesque countryside.
Event Date: Tuesday April 14– Wednesday April 15, 2026
Your Hosts Martina Lesar Hooked Rug Studio and Bear Epp, Common Craft
Your Hooked Retreat Includes:
Two full days of rug hooking with guest artist and mentor Heather Goodchild. We will be spending our days in the Aida Room, a beautiful large space with abundant natural light from the garden doors which open onto the terrace overlooking scenic landscape and gardens.
All meals and snacks are included in the Retreat package. Expect delicious farm-to-table organic culinary experiences. Vegetarian options are available upon request and your dietary restrictions will be accommodated if you notify us when you register. Dinner will be served under the grand chandeliers in the beautiful Montclair Ballroom! A perfect setting for socializing, viewing the participant exhibition and Q&A with Heather. Included with your dinner is a complimentary cocktail/wine tickets and a cash bar will also be open during the evening gala.
Pillow Finishing Demonstration: Hooked pillows are a wonderful addition to any room and the best part is that you can customize them to any size, design and colour plan to suit your decor. This short demo will teach you how to create a pillow from your hooked mat. No sewing experience is required with the exception of whip stitching. This is a complimentary demonstration for Hooked 2026 guests.
Swag! Upon your arrival you will receive a stunning selection of wool fabrics carefully chosen for the Hooked Retreat as well as other gifts and treats.
On-site Wool Boutique: An exceptional selection of rug hooking wool fabric, fibers and supplies will be available for purchase during the retreat. For your convenience, a Beeline cutter with a full range (#3-#8) of cartridge sizes will also be available for use.
A 25.00 spa voucher. You will be able to use the voucher toward any 60 minute treatments starting April 14. RMT excluded. Please book your treatment in advance.
About our retreat mentor Heather Goodchild
Heather Goodchild (b. 1977) is a Canadian multidisciplinary artist. Since 2001, she has exhibited in Berlin, Paris, Beijing, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC, and throughout Canada. Working across media including painting, textile, ceramic and installation, she highlights the integration of craft into a contemporary art context, most notably through her work using the folk technique of rug hooking. “Through my multidisciplinary practice I seek to discover universal stories within the connections I find with people, places and objects. In my work I explore how archetypal imagery creates a collective and inherited visual language that appears across mythologies and through the subconscious unveils latent personal narratives.”
https://heathergoodchild.com/ https://www.instagram.com/heather__goodchild/
Hockley Valley Resort is a boutique resort, situated in the stunning countryside of the Hills of Headwaters just 45 minutes north of the GTA. This contemporary, elegant resort offers beautiful guestrooms, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tub, sauna, gym and an 8000 square foot full service spa. The resort also boasts an 18-hole championship golf course, 16 ski/snowboard runs , a winery, a two acre organic fruit and vegetable garden and back to nature walk/bike trails.
Hockley Valley Resort is less than an hour’s drive from the Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and most of the Greater Toronto Area. It is easily accessible via many of Southern Ontario’s major highways.
Accommodations:
The rooms are spacious and elegant. Comfort is key with upgraded hotel amenities plus a sitting area with amazing views, writing table, a Keurig coffee machine, a flat screen tv with complimentary wifi and spa style bathroom.
As Retreat participants, you are responsible for booking your own hotel room. We have secured an incredible rate of 168.00 plus tax and fees per night for a single occupancy and 87.00 plus tax and fees per person for double occupancy. We have also negotiated the same rate for anyone wanting to arrive on Monday or stay an extra night on Wednesday. These rates are for Hooked Retreat participants only (more than 40% off regular price).
Rates are valid for dates April 13th – April 15th, 2026.
To receive this special rate, you must first register for the Retreat. Once registered we will provide you with the hotel booking code via email.
**Accommodations at the Hockley Valley Resort must be booked before February 1st 2026 to secure the retreat pricing .
Please review the room cancellation policy for Hockley.
It is required that registrants must stay a minimum of one night (Tuesday night) at the resort. If you are sharing a double occupancy room, you must provide the name of your room mate when booking your room
Cancellation and Vaccine Policy:
Health protocols will be followed based on the government requirements at the time of the retreat.
In the event that Hooked Retreat is forced to cancel due to unforeseen circumstance such as, but not limited to, acts of nature, labor strikes, pandemics, 100% of your paid fees will be returned to you. Please note all refunds take a minimum of 14 days to process. If you choose to cancel before February 1st, 2025, you will receive a 50% refund on your retreat investment. After February 1st, 2025 no monies will be refunded. Room refunds fall under resort policies. Please be aware of room cancellation charges.
There are no exceptions to this cancellation and refund policy, including for reasons related to weather, border restrictions, personal, family or medical emergencies or any other circumstances beyond our control. You may however re sell your retreat spot. Refunds will not be issued should the borders close or if government travel restrictions prevent entry to Canada.
What to bring:
- A rug hooking project, new or in progress
- You are welcome to bring your own cutter however, we will have a Beeline cutter on site with cartridges for cuts #3-#8.
- A bathing suit for those who would like to indulge in the pool
- Your favourite hooked rug for the evening rug display (optional)
Any further questions regarding the Hooked Retreat, please send us an email at studio@martinalesar.com
Hooked: Itinerary
Day One
8:00 – 9:00 am Arrive at Hockley Valley Resort. You may check in at the front desk as you wont be able to get access to your room until 4:00 please consider leaving your luggage in your car until your room when it is ready. Bring in your rug hooking gear and go to Aida Room to drop off your rug hooking gear and receive your name tag.
8:00 -9:00 am Continental breakfast is served in the Aida Room
9:00 am Aida Room. Introduction and artist talk. Your day of rug hooking commences with your fellow participants. Morning refreshment with coffee/tea/beverages and baked goods will be available.
12:00 – 1:00 pm A delicious buffet lunch is served in Restaurant 85.
1:00 – 4:00 Rug hooking commences in the Aida Room. Afternoon refreshments will be available while you continue to work on your projects
4:00 -6:00 Free time to indulge in the amenities of the Resort. Indoor pool, gym or book a treatment in the incredible 8000 sq ft. spa
6:00 – 10:00 Dinner and evening social in the Monctclair Ballroom and a complimentary glass of wine or cocktails/mocktails. There will also be a cash bar. A lively Q & A following up from the morning artist talk
Day Two
7:00 – 9:00 am Breakfast buffet is served in Restaurant 85
8:00 – 12:00 Aida Room. Your day of rug hooking commences with your fellow participants. Resort staff will have prepared a refreshment table for you to enjoy throughout the morning session. Remember to check out of your room before 11:00 am.
12:00 – 1:00pm Buffet lunch is served in Restaurant 85
1:00 – 3:00pm Rug hooking resumes in the Aida Room where Resort staff will make available afternoon refreshments.
Please note alcoholic beverages are not included in the cost of this retreat with the exception of a complimentary wine or cocktail at the dinner and evening social.
Hooked Retreat Registration Info: Price 598.00 plus tax. For room rates, see ‘accommodations’ above.
