Moon Rain Centre
…interweaving textile arts and community…
“The name Moon Rain came while watching a shower of meteorites over a full moon, one evening during my first summer of weaving in the Gatineau Hills, over forty-five years ago. It was later that I learned of the mystic connections in indigenous legends between the moon, weaving and the cosmos, where the moon is the divine weaver and creator spirit.” - Thoma Ewen
…the moon is the divine weaver who spins threads of cosmic rain and weaves the night sky to guide the journey through the universe…
Moon Rain Centre is located outside the quiet picturesque village of Poltimore, in the municipality of Val-Des-Monts, Quebec. Nestled in the Gatineau Hills, it is approximately one hour’s drive north of Ottawa/Gatineau. Resident textile artists Thoma Ewen and Gabby Ewen have been collaborating for over 20 years, directing highly engaging collective textile arts projects in which the public participates to co-create its own permanent art. It is known for its dynamic artists-in-the-schools projects and international textile arts events. Moon Rain Centre studio is open by appointment year round to visitors who come to see hand-woven tapestries and textile art creations, and to explore Moon Rain’s scenic walking trails.
…weaving is a global contemporary metaphor for the interactions, interconnections and inter-dependencies that naturally occur in all living systems of our biosphere…
Thoma Ewen has been designing and weaving tapestries for 45 years. She has exhibited her tapestries in Canada, the United States, England, France, Poland, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, and China. Her work reflects the light and beauty of the natural environment. Inspired by ancient Amerindian weaving wisdom that recognizes weaving to be a sacred path, Thoma’s conference presentations and teaching communicate the indigenous belief that weaving transmits the energy of peace. She is the author of The Living Tapestry Workbook and La Tapisserie Vivante, beginner’s guides to designing and weaving tapestry.
…weaving transmits the energy of peace…
Gabriel Ewen is a textile artist specializing in large collective textile arts projects and events. She adapts traditional textile techniques making them accessible to youth and the public, in projects like The Tulip Quilt of Peace and Friendship, commissioned by the Canadian Tulip Festival. Using natural fibres and materials, her quilts, clothing, jewellery and household/kitchen art reflect nature and the landscape surrounding Moon Rain Centre. Her award-winning international events have been a catalyst to professional textile arts, inspiring and promoting the practice of textile arts in the region and beyond.
…the vision of Moon Rain is to share the beauty and mystery of weave…
Moon Rain Centre is a founding partner of La Triennale Internationale des Arts Textiles en Outaouais, directed by textile artist Gabby Ewen. Moon Rain Centre and/or La Triennale have been awarded the 2008 and 2011 Grand Prix d’Excellence, the 2014 Prix Évènement de l’Année, and the 2017 Prix Organisme de l’Année, in the Culturiads Awards of the Fondation des Arts, des Lettres et de la Culture de l’Outaouais. Moon Rain Centre was also awarded the Prix Distinction 2014 of Val-Des-Monts.