History Today Who is JO Knobloch
Our History
In 1976 a cooperative effort between Hunterdon County Adult Education and the Office of the Aging was started under the Older Americans Act. Under this project, art and craft courses were taught throughout the municipalities of Hunterdon County with the guidance of Josephine “Jo” Knobloch. The success of the classes led to establishing a Rug Artisans Guild with the purpose of preserving the cultural heritage of traditional rug hooking. It was self-sustaining, requiring annual payment of minimal dues, which were used to pay guest instructors. Members, in turn, gave exhibits and demonstrations within the community to continually educate and keep the public aware of their existence and gain new members. The Adult Education Office advertised the Guild’s programs and provided meeting space.
With the success of this project called “Project Arts and Crafts for Hunterdon Aging” (PACHA), “Jo” Knobloch was offered a full time position as Special Projects Coordinator for Adult Education. She soon used the rug hooking guild model and organized the patchwork & quilting, needlework, and knitting and crocheting guilds.
The guilds originally established by Jo Knobloch still exist and continue to meet and support Hunterdon County. Items created by their members are exhibited each year at the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair at the County Fairgrounds in Ringoes, NJ.
Jo Knobloch’s guidance to “her guilds” stressed working cooperatively with the community as one of the finest ways possible to show appreciation for their past and continued support.
HCRAG today
The Hunterdon County Rug Artisans Guild was founded in April 1977. We currently have over 100 members from many states. The mission of the Guild is to perpetuate the tradition and art of rug hooking, to encourage creativity, to provide the means for an exchange of ideas and information and to promote educational activities to enhance the interest in rug hooking.
HCRAG holds monthly meetings on the second Friday of each month September thru June from 10am to 2pm at the Route 12 County Complex. Meetings normally consist of a short business meeting, a “show & tell” portion and a program on some aspect of rug hooking. Anyone new to rug hooking as well as the seasoned artisan can benefit from the programs offered. Members have opportunities to participate in hooking demonstrations, rug exhibits, rug camps and “hook-ins”. A supportive environment is provided for those new to the craft and for those looking to refine their technique.
We have always invited guests to our meetings, so if you are interested in attending, info@hcrag.com and we will send you an invitation. New members are always welcome!
Who Was Jo Knobloch?
Jo was a native of Westfield, NY and graduated from the St. Elizabeth School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse in 1942. She served as an Army Air Force Nurse at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, during WWII from 1943 to 1945
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She received her Bachelor of Music from Syracuse University as a Voice Major, and her Masters in Music Education and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Music Education. She was a Choral Director and Music Educator for 12 years in New York State, Prince George’s County,
Maryland and Morris Plains, N.J. Excellence from the State Adult Education Department.
After receiving her Supervisory Certificate from the state of N.J. she was
employed by Hunterdon Aging for which she received the Exemplary Program Award for Excellence from the State Adult Education Department. As the Coordinator of Special Projects for Hunterdon County Adult Education she originated and coordinated the establishment of the Hunterdon County Textile Guild: the Rug
Artisan Guild, the Patchwork and Quilting Guild, The Needlework Guild, the Sewing Guild and the Knitting and Crocheting Guild.
In 1976 she coordinated and established Golden Talents, where for 28 years Senior Artisans could market their handcrafted creations and supplement their incomes. During this time, she also hosted a series of weekly radio interviews of Hunterdon artisans on “As The Wheel Turns”, sponsored by the Office On Aging.
After retirement she volunteered for 10 years for ESC as Coordinator of Arts and Crafts, where she coordinated with Reverend Richard Mille of the Stanton Reformed Church, the establishment of the Hunterdon County Baking Guild. She innovated and served as host for 10 years on the TV series “Artistic Talents” of Hunterdon.
In 2017 she received a Proclamation from the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders for her “dutiful service to her country” and for her creation and support of the guilds on their Fortieth Anniversary. Hunterdon County gave her an opportunity to accomplish and further her lifelong interests.
With her daughter Karen, she was a co-partner for over 33 years in a
business called “Jo and Karen Decorative Folk Art Painting” that preserved the international folk art painting techniques of the past.
She was a member of St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing Alumni, the National Society of Decorative Folk Art Painters along with its Goldfinch Chapter, and a Charter member of Woman in the Military Service of America. She served for twenty years on the Board of Trustees for Golden Talents.
AMAZING !