Rockland — CRAFT gallery, 12 Elm St. in the courtyard, will open a new show, “Beyond Rugs: the Handwoven Rug as Art,” during the First Friday art walk July 6. Rugmakers Morris Dorenfeld, Patricia Burling and Connie Forneris share their bold use of color and graphic design to take the function of the handwoven rug off the floor and onto the wall to enjoy as a work of art.

Dorenfeld of Spruce Head is a masterful technician of tapestry weaving in wool, paying great attention to detail and tight weave. He has embarked on a new series of tapestries that pulsate with energy and riotous color. Dorenfeld studied painting at the Chicago Art Institute. His work is in the collections of craft connoisseurs, the U.S. embassy in Chile and is shown in prestigious galleries throughout the United States.

Burling creates linear patterns, reflections and shadows to emphasize texture and architecture in her wool rugs. She is one of the few weavers today utilizing the warp face techniques of rug weaving, working in her studio in the Connecticut countryside.

Forneris’ inspiration comes from the natural elements and materials themselves of linen warp and wool weft. Patterns of landscape forms echo in the design, color and mood of her rugs. She dyes her own weft wool with both synthetic and plant-based dyes and uses imported yarns as well as her own handspun wool. Forneris shows her work at the Smithsonian and American Craft Council shows.

CRAFT gallery exclusively presents craft as works of art to enhance everyday life. Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 594-0167 or visit craftonelm.com.

Courier Publications' A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest can be reached at 207-594-4401 or dernest@courierpublicationsllc.com.