Care of Stained Glass class photo

Conservation Refresher Courses

Since the refresher course program began in the 1990’s, the Center has concentrated on providing intensive, hands-on workshops regarding conservation treatment or analytical techniques, with one or two instructors and a maximum of 10 to 12 participants. While the Center will continue to offer these smaller, hands-on workshops, over the next few years the Center will also be offering a number of conservation level seminars dealing with materials and media. These courses are intended as an update for conservators, and enrollment in the refresher course is limited to those with training and experience in the conservation of art and artifacts. Instructors are the final arbiters of whether prerequisites have been met.

Financial assistance is available from a number of sources: Friends, Pomerantz, Teeter Family, and the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. Please refer to the Financial Assistance section of this catalog found on page XX for eligibility

COURSE LISTING


COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Biofilms for Conservators: Solving Microbiological Problems in Heritage Collections

Prerequisite: Participant is expected to be proficient with the use of a compound microscope
Scholarships: AIC
Class limit: 10
Offered: even numbered years
Instructor: Mary-Lou Florian

Combining lecture and laboratory sessions, this course will provide conservators with a better understanding of microorganisms that infest heritage materials from paper to rocks. Topics covered in this five-day course are: the basic biology of fungi, bacteria, algae, archaea, and lichens, including life cycles, structures, cells, and growth requirements; the big environment and microenvironment, and microenvironments, and biofilm interaction; what’s in an infestation on material (i.e., metabolic products, structures, stains, material degradation, and interactions); determining the causative species-sources, species identification methods and interpretation of results; prevention and eradication methods-including evaluation of monitoring programs and eradication methods; health hazards (e.g. air quality, allergens, and toxins); evaluation of conservation treatments; disaster planning and recovery; and critical thinking re-evaluation of pertinent literature.

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Chemistry for Book, Paper & Textile Conservators

Prerequisite: approval of instructor
Scholarships: AIC
Class limit: 25
Offered: every year
Instructor: Hal Erickson

This five and one-half day workshop will serve as the inaugural conservation chemistry review course for book, paper, and textile conservators (and to a lesser extent, photographic conservators). The course will be a distillation of the year-long 150 hour course in conservation chemistry that Hal Erickson taught for thirteen years at the Preservation and Conservation Studies program in Texas. (The instructor’s accessible teaching style is backed by the depth of multidisciplinary science that underlies his continuing work on a projected two-volume, 1000-page text of materials chemistry for conservation graduate students.) The course will review all prerequisite elementary chemistry concepts in a fashion that covers only those points and relationships that are truly required, specifically those that are required in order to build an intuitive understanding of those materials chemistry concepts that are relevant to bench work and preservation. The goal is to build a robust appreciation of the chemical features of bio-derived and synthetic materials found in paper, books and their bindings, textiles and media. There will be a special emphasis on the implications of cellulose micelle structures, the sub-structures of botanical fibers, and post-processing fiber morphologies, leading not only to an understanding of the relationships between the chemical and mechanical aspects of aging, but also to an understanding of the chemical and physical phenomena involved in common treatment strategies. Because of the magnitude of the material to be covered, the course will taught in a lecture format and no laboratory sessions will be included.

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De-acidification of Paper

Prerequisite: approval of instructor
Scholarships: AIC
Class limit: 8
Offered: every year
Instructor: Susan Russick and Hal Erickson

After a day of chemistry fundamentals, lecture and laboratory sessions will provide mid-career conservators with both theoretical chemical mechanisms and practical experience related to washing and de-acidifying paper artifacts. The course will focus on the topics of pH, water purity, a comparison of neutralizing and de-acidifying chemicals (with emphasis on calcium hydroxide, magnesium, bicarbonate, and ammonium hydroxide); issues associated with washing iron gall inks; anticipated results of aqueous de-acidification methods, and discussion of non-aqueous and mass de-acidification methods. Participants will get hands-on experience washing and de-acidifying sample materials using a variety of methods.

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Enzymes and their Targets: From the Fundamentals to Optimization of Enzyme Cocktails in Conservation Usage

Prerequisite: approval of instructor
Scholarships:
Class limit: 10
Offered: odd numbered years
Instructor: Hal Erickson

Designed for conservators with varied backgrounds, this course does not require prior experience with specific instrumentation or techniques; however, it is assumed the participant has a basic understanding and interest in the physical nature of archival and artifact materials. Included in this course is a one day chemistry refresher module covering the following topics: salvation shells and surfactancy; structural proteins (e.g. collagen and fibroin); catalytic proteins (enzymes); carbohydrates; and relevant aspects of the aging of these molecules. The remaining four days will focus on the safe and effective use of enzymes to digest adhesive and related residues. Topics covered will include the following: the structure and activity of enzymes; enzymatic activity as relater to pH and ionic balance; spot tests for materials to be digested; structures and vulnerabilities of adhesives and residues; treatment approach and artifact safety—choice of the appropriate enzyme for the target and artifact; pre-treatments that facilitate enzyme activity; and salvation strategies for the removal of enzymes and degradation products. Participants will get hands-on experience with a variety of sample materials, testing methods, and enzymes.

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Mastering Inpainting

Prerequisite: Approval of instructor
Scholarships:
Class limit: 14
Offered: odd numbered years
Instructor: Jim Bernstein and Debra Evans

This multi-disciplinary course is designed for conservators with diverse specializations to improve their mastery of inpainting skills. A broad overview of this complicated topic will be provided as well as considerable attention to details critical in the compensation process. Additionally, keys to problem-solving will be offered to help conservators find appropriate and successful treatment solutions for varied inpainting situations. Specific topics covered in this course include the following: inpainting criteria; environmental adaptation and compensation; the theory and the practical phenomena of light and color; a survey of pigments and their properties; preparation for compensation; wet/dry inpainting media and toning systems; the use of synthetic resins, watercolor, distemper, gums, pen, pencil, dry pigments, and other coloring agents; the use of inpainting modifiers such as bulking, matting, polishing, and glossing agents; medium/pigment/dilutent adjustments for differing paint structures; simulation of patina and age; application methods and tips; and a philosophical discourse on compensation and restoration.

Participants are encouraged to bring small artifact samples or expendable items for experimentation, favorite inpainting materials, and “studio tips” for a demonstration.


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Microscopy for the Conservator of Historic and Artistic Works

Prerequisite: approval of instructor
Scholarships: Pomerantz & Friends
Class limit: 12
Offered: every year
Instructor: Gary Laughlin

Chemical Microscopy, another term for Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), is a method commonly used to solve problems of a chemical nature (e.g. characterization and identification of artist’s materials, paint, pigments, fibers, etc.) This one week, intensive course is intended for conservators, art historians, and science professionals. The course emphasis will be on art objects, especially paintings, but also textiles and paper. Students will learn to use the microscope and sampling procedures necessary to study a wide variety of materials including pigment and fibers.

The course is based on lectures, demonstrations, and laboratory practice. Each student learns each technique by hearing about it, watching it being done, and then doing it. Video is used extensively for macro- and micro-projection in both lecture and demonstrations. Each student is assigned a polarized light microscope and all necessary accessories, reagents, and text materials.

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Pulp Repair Techniques for the Paper Conservator

Prerequisite: approval of instructor
Scholarships: AIC
Class limit: 6
Offered: even numbered years
Instructor: Margo McFarland

This hands-on course is designed to teach the participant practical methods in making and applying paper pulp for the repair of tears and losses in paper. The course will cover: creating paper pulp from recycled materials; mixing and matching pulp to achieve the desired tone, texture, and weight; the use of paper pulp to repair tears, mask unsightly areas, and repair skinned or abraded surfaces; and information exchange amongst participants on techniques and tools they already use.

Participants are encouraged to bring one or two items for lab sessions. No item is to be larger 12”x18” and should come already prepared for pulp filling. Dry-cleaning tape removal, washing should be done prior to the course.


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Spot Testing for Materials Characterization

Prerequisite: approval of instructor
Scholarships:
Class limit: 10
Offered: odd numbered years
Instructor: Scott Carrlee and Nancy Odegaard

This research-based course is designed to provide conservators a compendium of practical and useful tests for materials characterization. The text used is “Materials Characterization Tests for Art and Archaeology” (2000). This is a very hands-on course with most of the participant’s time spent in setting-up and doing characterization tests. Covered in this course are a variety of micro-sampling techniques including electrolysis of minute amounts of artifact material onto filter paper; testing organic and inorganic artifact materials; testing of contextual materials; chemical processes and reaction stages; and results interpretation.

Participants are encouraged to bring sample materials to the class.

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Water and Collection Spaces; A Structural Drying Overview

Prerequisite: approval of instructor
Scholarships:
Class limit: 20
Offered: even numbered years
Instructor: Garry Harrison

This presentation is for anyone, particularly libraries and museum personnel, who would simply like to be better informed about the structural side of water emergency response. With focus on current practices of the industry, topics covered include tools and materials, structural drying techniques, mold remediation, the pertinence of specific humidity, water damage categories, and hiring a knowledgeable contractor. While this is an overview presentation, information regarding available hands-on training is provided as well.

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