Hall of Fame Winner 2026
Carol Ventura
We are delighted to announce Carol Ventura as the 2026 Jean Leinhauser CGOA Hall of Fame inductee. Carol was inducted during the Chain Space Retreat in Memphis. Watch the video of the ceremony and Carol's presentation here.
Carol’s dedication, innovation, and global influence have elevated tapestry crochet to new artistic and technical heights. Her lifelong commitment to education, cultural exploration, and excellence has profoundly impacted both individual artists and the broader crochet community.
Carol Ventura is internationally recognized as a leading authority in tapestry crochet. Through decades of exploration and refinement, she has advanced complex colorwork techniques within crochet and elevated tapestry crochet as a fine art discipline. Carol has expanded the structural and artistic potential of crochet, and her work demonstrates not only technical mastery but also visionary artistry.
A cornerstone of Carol Ventura’s legacy is education. As a professor in Tennessee, she developed structured instructional methods for tapestry crochet. She has mentored emerging crochet artists and instructors, as well as published educational materials supporting skill advancement. Her ability to teach complex techniques with clarity and encouragement has empowered countless crocheters to pursue higher levels of craftsmanship.
Carol’s work reflects deep respect for global textile traditions. Through her travels and studies, she has promoted cross-cultural appreciation through fiber arts while helping to preserve and share traditional textile techniques. Her global perspective has broadened the artistic lens of crochet within the Guild and beyond.
Carol Ventura’s research, books, and teaching have left a lasting imprint on the fiber arts community worldwide.
Her website is https://www.tapestrycrochet.com/