OTISFIELD — The historic 1837 Bell Hill Meetinghouse on Bell Hill Road will be the setting for a special exhibition of vintage and contemporary hooked rugs from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10.

Called “Art Underfoot,” the exhibit will feature more than 30 items ranging from table mats to room-sized rugs, along with a large collection of vintage rug-hooking tools and supplies.

Rug hooking likely originated in the early 19th century in either Maine or the Maritimes of Canada, with many significant early events and developments happening in Maine. The first published record of rug hooking was a pamphlet listing exhibitors at a fair in 1838 in Portland.

Pre-stamped patterns were first introduced by a Biddeford man around 1870 and the so-called Waldoboro rugs made between about 1830 and 1860 in that small coastal town are well known.

The Otisfield exhibit will provide additional background information about the craft. The works of Margaret Bean, an Otisfield craftswoman and rug hooking instructor active in the early 1960s, will be featured along with several late 19th and early 20th century rugs. A sampling of contemporary works by local rug makers will give viewers a glimpse at how the craft has evolved.

The show will feature rug-hooking demonstrations throughout the day. Rug hooking kits and supplies will be available for purchase.

Refreshments will be available during the free show. For more information, call 539-4502.