La Peña presents The Rug Hooking Project at Las Manitas Avenue Café, an exhibit that features the hooked rugs of the women of Agustin Gonzalez in the Central Mexican Highlands. Once again, La Peña is showcasing the hooked rugs of these women where they may be seen and purchased throughout the month of December. The opening reception for will be taking place on Friday, December 8th from 6-8 pm.

In the small village of Agustin Gonzales located in the central Mexican highlands near San Miguel de Allende, 15 women spend what little free time they have hooking rugs. You will find them working late at night by kitchen tables after children are asleep or perhaps you will see them sitting under a tree in the hillside tending the cows and working on their rugs. The people of the area are substance farmers who grow all their own corn, beans and squash. The proceeds from selling these art pieces help with paying for food, children's schooling, doctor visits and other family needs. In 2005 and now in 2006 a drought has affected the area killing the corn and bean crop. This has made the sale of their rugs even more important. Many of the women are the sole support of their families. Their subject matter is the life around them, mountains, cactus, cows, horses, burros, flowers, a small house, a church, ducks, rabbits, chickens, roosters or fish. Each art piece is entirely unique as is the skill of rug hooking in Mexico.