CARING FOR WATER-DAMAGED MATERIALS

AIC offers information that can help with you materials damaged by water. Follow these links for more information:

EMERGENCY: IF YOU'RE FIRST
TIPS FOR THE CARE OF WATER-DAMAGED FAMILY HEIRLOOMS
SALVAGING WATER-DAMAGED TEXTILES
SALVAGING PHOTOGRAPHS AFTER THE FLOOD

Other resources:

SALVAGE AT A GLANCE
HERITAGE PRESERVATION'S CURRENT DISASTER INFORMATION

FAIC Awarded $1 Million Grant from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC) was recently awarded an endowment grant of $1 million from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support workshops in photograph conservation modeled on the successful Collaborative Workshops in Photograph Conservation, developed at the University of Delaware. Download and read the complete press release by clicking here.

April 2008 Business Meeting Minutes Available

The 2008 Business Meeting Minutes will be approved by members attending the 2009 Business Meeting. If you have comments on these minutes, please contact Eryl Wentworth at ewentworth@aic-faic.org.

Download the April 2008 Business Meeting Minutes by clicking here.

AIC 2008 - 2010 Strategic Plan

Download the complete text of the strategic plan by clicking here.

Mid-Career Grant Program

The James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation will award a research grant up to $25,000 to mid­career professionals who have an advanced or professional degree and at least 10 years experience in historic preservation or related fields, including architecture, landscape architecture, architectural conservation, urban design, environmental planning, archaeology, architectural history, and the decorative arts. Additional smaller grants, up to $10,000, are made at the discretion of the Trustees. The grants are intended to support projects of innovative original research or creative design that advance the practice of historic preservation in the U.S. These grants may be partially supported through the generosity of the Kress Foundation.

Visit www.fitchfoundation.org for details or contact Erin Tobin, Executive Director, at info@fitchfoundation.org. The application deadline is Friday, September 19, 2008 (postmarked).

ColorChecker® Patch Sets for Photographic Reference Plates 2008 Now Available

Set No. 1

Set No. 2

These sets are designed for use in the construction of the photographic reference plates described in A Photographic Reference Plate for Conservation Documentation by Dan Kushel, Jiuan-Jiuan Chen, and Luisa Casella. The sets contain precut X-Rite ColorChecker® patch material for the six-step grayscale and the six color primaries. Two different sets are available

Set No. 1 contains patches to make three small reference plates measuring: 2 cm x 16 cm; 1.4 cm x 12 cm; and 1 cm x 8 cm. 

Set No. 2 contains patches to make a 3 cm x 44 cm or larger reference plate. 

The design of these plates complies with recommended practices for photographic documentation described in the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) Commentaries to the Guideline for Practices and with suggested procedures in the AIC Guide to Digital Documentation for Conservators.

This project was generously supported by the Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation at George Eastman House/ International Museum of Photography and Film, the Art Conservation Department at Buffalo State College, and the Photographic Materials Group of AIC. 

Click here to obtain a downloadable pdf of the instruction document for constructing the photographic reference plates.

Click here to obtain a downloadable pdf of the templates for making the three small reference plates with Patch Set No. 1.

Click here to obtain a downloadable pdf of the template for making the large reference plate (Plate 4) with Patch Set No. 2.

Click here to obtain the slip-in label printing template for small Patch Set No. 1 plates

To purchase patch sets, download the AIC Publications Catalog and order form here at aic.stanford.edu/library/print/index.html.

IAG Meeting Minutes

Read the minutes of the Internal Advisory Group's November, 2007 meeting by clicking here.

Stipends Available for South American Conservators to Attend a Workshop on Iron Gall Ink on Paper

Download and read the complete announcement (PDF)

Calling Object Conservators

From Robert Witherspoon, Collections Manager for the City of Atlanta Public Art Program:

"The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs is releasing an RFQ for an innovative project that combines community outreach and object conservation work within Atlanta’s outdoor Public Art Collection.  Please forward this call (attached) to interested parties. This project calls for a refreshing approach to community outreach while raising awareness of conservation issues within our Public Art Program. We anticipate the call will provide a wonderful collaboration opportunity in the conservation community.  We have several traditional bronze and contemporary painted steel sculptures in need of actual conservation within our parks system that can be incorporated into a proposal.  For more information or questions please email us at publicart@atlanta.gov. Note: Respond by February 1st if you’re interested in pre-qualifying for this opportunity."

Tuition Remission and Book Allowances at Buffalo State

The Buffalo State College Art Conservation Department is pleased to announce that effective Spring 2008, students will no longer be required to pay tuition. This new tuition remission program, established by Buffalo State College President Muriel Howard, will enable students to focus on their studies and to begin their careers as professional conservators as debt-free as possible. In addition, President Howard has agreed to provide book allowances for all first- and second-year students. The Department is thrilled to be able to offer all students ample fellowship support to cover living expenses. For more information, see http://www.buffalostate.edu/depts/artconservation/.

Conservation and storage materials needed for the Regional Museum in Ica, Peru

Below is a list of conservation materials that colleagues from the Instituto Nacional de Cultura (INC), Direccion de Museos y Gestion del Patrimonio Historico and Direccion de Patrimonio Historico y la de Arqueologia of Peru are requesting as a result of the recent earthquates in Peru. Please contact Irene Velaochaga Rey, director, if you can help.

Almost every shelve fell in the storage area. Thousands of boxes containing archeological materials (including textiles, ceramics, wood, etc) need to be rearranged in a new storage area. It is very urgent to stabilize the collections since the research materials from the Paracas Museum will be moved soon to this museum, and all paintings, bells, altars, and works of art from the affected churches in the whole region will be brought to this institution as well. Also needed are conservation materials for first aid until we have the assessment of what needs to be restored and what we can save.

• Ethafoam planks (1”, 2”, 3”)
• Quick cut hot knife (Foam cutter)
• Unbuffered acid-free tissue paper
• Buffered acid-free tissue paper
• Cardboard
• Museum mounting waxes
• Dusting brushes
• Wishab dry cleaning sponges
• Preserve-it. Magnetic dusting fabric
• Tyvek
• Nomex
• Acid-free, lignin free, buffered conservation storage boxes (we need boxes and storage material for textiles, ceramics, etc)
• Corrugated polypropylene board sheets for making boxes (we have thousands of material which has to be put in order again)
• Pellon or Volara for lining boxes
• Adhesives (for ceramics)
• Paraloid B72
• Tags and labeling supplies
• museum storage shelves
• 2 (at least) drum hygrothermographs in centigrades
• 2 (at least) thermohygrometers in centigrades
• wood stapler and staples
• laptop computers for registration

Help Earthquake-Damaged Museums and Sites in Peru

The catastrophic earthquake that struck the south coast of Peru on Aug. 15 damaged numerous museums and archaeological and historic sites in the region. The major towns of Ica, Pisco and Chincha and the surrounding villages were the most heavily affected.

Assistance with damage assessment, the repair of adobe structures and collections care is most urgently needed, along with materials for collections storage. Irene Velaochaga, the director of the national system of museums in Peru, and Vanessa Wagner, the senior cultural specialist at the U.S. embassy in Lima, are coordinating donations of supplies and volunteers.

The following museums and sites are in particular need of assistance:

• Huaca Malena Site Museum in the town of Asia and the 16th-century church at Coayllo. Contact Rommel Angeles Falcón, museum director and membership secretary for ICOM-Peru, at rommelangel@hotmail.com.
• Ica Regional Museum. Contact Susana Arce, director.
• Archaeological sites in Chincha and Ica, including the Paracas Site Museum on the Paracas Peninsula, the Inca Palace at La Centinela and Cerrillos. Contact Rubén Garcia, INC regional patrimony director.
• The Inca site of Uquira. Visit the website of National Cultural Institute (INC) in Lima for a list of current officials.

The International Council of Museums (ICOM), as part of its Disaster Relief for Museums Fund, has created a dedicated account to accept monetary donations for Peru. To donate to the Peruvian fund, contact Piet Pouw, interim secretary general, at secretariat@icom.museum. Donations to the general fund are also being accepted.

In light of the recent release of the Red List of Peruvian Objects at Risk, soon to be posted on the http://icom.museum/redlist website, ICOM strongly supports the efforts to assist Peruvian museums and feels that this is another important step toward preserving the cultural heritage of this area. —Francine Rinzel

This article has been published with permission from AAM.

Cleveland Public Library Recieves National Collection Award

The Cleveland Public Library has been selected to receive the 2007 Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections. This annual award is presented jointly by AIC and Heritage Preservation. The Cleveland Public Library is the first public library to receive this prestigious national award since its inception in 1999. Previous recipients have included art museums, historic sites, research libraries, and archives.

"All too often, public libraries with circulating collections feel forced to choose between basic public services and care of unique research collections," said Lawrence L. Reger, president of Heritage Preservation. "The Cleveland Public Library is exemplary in its support of an extensive preservation program in the midst of all its other responsibilities."

Basic care of the valuable books, maps, photographs and manuscripts in the Library's collections is the responsibility of the Preservation Department, which was founded in 1988. Ann Olszewski, preservation manager, and her staff of five provide basic care for materials and maps that have been identified by the Library's staff as needing preservation action. Creation of boxes, enclosures, and appropriate shelving is the kind of preventive conservation that is essential to extending the life of a collection.

When a rare book, artwork, or historic photograph requires conservation treatment, or the condition of a special collection must be assessed, the Library reaches out to professional conservators at the Intermuseum Conservation Association and the Northeast Document Conservation Center. "The cooperation between the Cleveland Public Library and conservators is a model for institutions that do not have professional conservation expertise on staff," said Eryl Wentworth, executive director of AIC. "Whether the endangered object was a New Deal mural, a baseball history scrapbook, or an architectural rendering, the CPL has sought out top professionals to provide conservation treatment."

Access to conservation expertise is often a problem for public libraries. According to the Heritage Health Index, the 2005 survey of conditions of collections nationwide, only 10 percent of public libraries have dedicated paid staff for conservation and preservation. Only 3 percent of public libraries make use of external providers. The Cleveland Public Library is exemplary in making resources available to support six preservation staff positions as well as the use of consulting conservators.

In addition to its extensive collections of books, photographs, and other materials on paper, the Cleveland Public Library also holds many distinguished works of art. These include New Deal murals, plaster friezes, and paintings and sculpture in the Main Library and in branches throughout the city. Caring for art, in addition to th ecore collections, is a special challenge for the library staff.

The Award for Outstanding Commitment to the Preservation and Care of Collections has been presented on an annual basis since 1999. Previous recipients include nationally prominent organizations such as Colonial Williamsburg and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and smaller institutions such as the Historical Society of Frederick County (MD) and the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto.

The Award will be presented on October 18 at a meeting of the Library's Board. In honor of the occasion, the Board will meet at the Library's Lakeshore Facility, home of the Preservation Department. The meeting will include a special preservation tour and demonstration.

The AIC Bylaws Committee seeks two new members.  The term of service is two years.

Due to existing participation by BPG members, candidates from other specialty groups will be preferred, but all will be considered. 

The Bylaws Committee is anticipating increased activity due to the AIC’s progress toward certification, but will probably involve at most a moderate time commitment. 

Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest to Susan Russick, Bylaws Committee Chair at: 3751 W. Giddings Street, Chicago, Illinois 60625 or at: kcissur [at] aol [dot] com

Membership Committee's Certification Position Statement Released

Membership Committee Chair Thomas Edmondson has outlined the committee's position concerning the certification process and its relation with different AIC membership categories. Visit http://aic.stanford.edu/certification/ to view this new information and more pertaining to the development of AIC's certification program for the field of conservation. News articles, survey results, and FAQ will be updated here over the coming months.

AIC Member a Winner of 2007–2008 Rome Prize Competition

Jana Dambrogio, a conservator at the Document Conservation Laboratory at the National Archives and Records Administration is a recepient of the Booth Family Rome Prize. She will be working on "A Technical Study of Northeastern Italian Monastic Legal and Accounting Documents and Bindings at the Vatican Secret Archives."

The Rome Prize, administered by the American Academy in Rome, is awarded to 30 artists and scholars representing a variety of disciplines. Winners of the Rome Prize reside at the Academy's 11-acre center in rome and receive room and board, a study or studio, and a stipend. For more information, visit the American Academy in Rome's website.

French American Partnership DVDs Now Available

At the end of April 2006, four French artisans demonstrated their craft at the University of Delaware. The demonstrations were recorded with the support of the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation and are now available for purchase through the AIC office. Download the order form here.

Reparure / Recutting Marie Dubost with Veronique Desnoues

2 disks/1:49:31/$20 non-WAG members/$15 WAG members

“I for one am continually searching out valuable techniques in how to’ articles, and was thrilled to see Marie Dubost demonstrating Reparure. To be able to watch a master in her field demonstrating with such skill, an art which many of us don’t understand, was priceless. Though this is not an in depth course on recutting, it does give the viewer an understanding and a direction as to how to proceed. I would recommend this informative DVD to any gilder who wants to gain an understanding of a very specialized practice.” —Smith Colman, past President, Society of Gilders

Marie Dubost has been restoring gilded wood and painted wood since 1988. Previously she taught, and after studying a year in the Paris School of Fine Arts, she worked in Boston at the workshop of Alec Graham. There Brian Considine told her about the Paris atelier of Jacques Goujon. After returning to Paris she studied with Goujon for four years and worked with his father the legendary Maxime. She started her workshop in Paris, the Atelier de la Feuille d’Or, in 1992.

Véronique Desnoues is a former apprentice of Marie’s and in June 2005 she received the gold medal in gilded wood as one of the best apprentices in France. She has studied in London and Brussels.

French Chairmaking Benoît Jenn with Cathy Mackenzie

2 disks/1:36:25/$20 non-WAG members/$15 WAG members

Benoît Jenn graduated from the Ecole Boulle in chairmaking and for 6 years practiced furniture conservation, beforehe was accepted at the Institut National du Patrimoine. The I.N.P. is a five year program in conservation and Benoît specialized in furniture and wooden objects. He is now employed at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and has been responsible for the furniture conservation studio since 2001. His responsibilities are the conservation of wooden objects, preventive conservation, and training for students and professionals. For the last two years, he has taught furniture conservation as an assistant at the I.N.P.

French 18th-century Upholstery Techniques Xavier Bonnet

2 disks/2:32:54/$20 non-WAG members/$15 WAG members

“His deft hands waste no effort and he makes it look so easy, all the while discussing the interesting facts that he has uncovered during his research into 18th-century French upholstery methods. His technique of successfully using upholstery tacks from his mouth is equally amazing to watch.... Spurred on by the relevant questions from his audience, Xavier includes many small but important details and, despite the language difference, makes himself clear. The informal format of the presentation keeps the process from being too technical and showcases his wonderful sense of humor.” —Anne Battram. Upholstery Conservator, Biltmore Estate

For 10 years Xavier Bonnet was trained in the “traditional” methods of French upholstery, as part of the compagnon du devoir system, during which he toured thirteen European cities in order to learn from master upholsterers. In most cases what he learned were versions of 19th-century techniques. Realizing that 18th-century techniques were different, he conducted additional research in the archives of French cities and upholstery compagnons. He has taught himself the early techniques as he studied existing 18th-century examples of upholstery.

Rempli Ciré / Wax Polishing Anna Østrup

1 disk/50:07/$10 non-WAG members/$7.50 WAG members

Anna Østrup received her diploma in cabinetmaking in Denmark in 1967 and she has worked predominately in Paris specializing in the restoration of marquetry. Her clients have included prestigious institutions such as the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Musée du Cluny as well as many provincial institutions. Since 1998 she has worked extensively on the art nouveau collections of the Musée de l’Ecole de Nancy in Nancy, France.

Very few examples of original wax polishing has survived and it may have been much more frequently used than is commonly known. Anna previously demonstrated the techniques at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles CA.

Update Your Contact Information Online

To better ensure timely and accurate communication with our membership, you can now easily update your address, phone number, and other pertinent information on file with AIC at www.aic-faic.org/members/change_of_address_form.cfm.

U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield Has a New Website

First conceived of after the looting of the Iraq National Museum in 2003 and incorporated in 2006, the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield (USCBS) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the protection of cultural property during armed conflict. Visit their new website to learn more about USCBS goals and information on how to get involved in supporting the USCBS mission.

Coatings on Photographs book now available

"Ten years ago, this book would have been unimaginable. Twenty years ago it would have been impossible." –Foreword by Roger Taylor

The Photographic Materials Group is proud to announce the publication of its new book, Coatings on Photographs: Materials, Techniques, and Conservation. This book was made possible through the generous support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, and the exceptional efforts of its volunteer authors and other PMG members.

Forty-two leading photograph conservators, scholars, and scientists present this important reference book about coatings on photographs from the nineteenth century to the present. This vast compilation of information regarding historic and modern coating materials–from natural resins to synthetic polymers–and its comprehensive chapter on the chemistry and analysis of coatings will be valuable to conservators of all specialities.

For more information or to order a copy, visit http://aic.stanford.edu/sg/pmg/coatings.html or call the AIC office at 202.452.9545.

AIC Responds to Collections Impacted Hurricane Katrina

AIC's Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recovery Committee immediately began collaborating with allied organization to coordinate donations for travel, lodging and the purchase of supplies. Read more (pdf 21 KB). Working with AASLH, AIC volunteer conservators are making initial assessments of sites impacted by the hurricane.

AIC is matching volunteer conservators with specific experience and expertise to the needs of particular sites. AIC is participating this effort with allied organizations through the Heritage Emergency National Task Force, read more (pdf 19 KB).

AIC is compiling a list of its members who have volunteered for the recovery effort. AIC members who wish to volunteer can click here for an online survey.

AIC has established a website for sharing and disseminating information on the recovery of cultural materials. For the latest news on the recovery effort see AIC's National Collections Emergency News (NCEN).

AIC's Disaster Recovery Page has key links to resources useful for the recovery of collections affected by the hurricane.