The Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) Presents

Where Artifact Meets Exhibition: Advances in Preservation Planning & Design

a three-day Educational Series to be held at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, MD  

April 4 -6, 2005

About the Series

Developing an exhibition today is a highly dynamic interactive process, and with an increased emphasis on sophisticated and interactive exhibit design, the need to preserve and conserve objects on exhibition has become an important consideration.  While scientific findings from conservation analytical laboratories give us serious reason to be concerned about the effects of exhibition displays on collections, there is also good news.  With technology now available, a well-designed exhibit has the potential to aesthetically present vulnerable collections while protecting and preserving them.  

With knowledge and understanding of available new technologies, conservation features can be specified as standard components of exhibition design.  This 3-day series is designed to provide training in several key areas: safe planning and design practices; appropriate engineering and fabrication of exhibition cases; selection of suitable exhibit construction materials; and the creation of conservation-responsible exhibit mounts.  Case studies on exhibit lighting, pollution and humidity control, new construction materials, and designs for object mounting systems will be included. 

These sessions are intended for curators, librarians, archivists, collection managers, exhibition designers, preparators, conservators, and other staff who are involved in exhibition design and installation in cultural institutions.

Although attending the entire series is not required, it is recommended.  Individually, the sessions will provide valuable information; as a series, they will provide a framework for understanding all of the components for having preservation responsible exhibits. 

Session Descriptions

April 4, 2005
Strategies in Exhibition Planning and Design

A successful exhibit must fulfill its educational intent, be aesthetically engaging, and protect the objects on display.  Using case studies and discussion, this session will demonstrate how conservation and the use of new technologies can be incorporated into the exhibition planning and design process.  Issues to be addressed include the criteria for conservation-grade display enclosures; exhibit case solutions and macro (room) vs. micro (case) technology; environmental control options; responsible exhibit lighting; creating specifications and communicating needs to exhibit designers.  

Session Leaders:	
Pam Hatchfield, Head of Objects Conservation, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Joan Irving, Head of Paper Laboratory, Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, Philadelphia, PA 
Toby Raphael, Museum Exhibition Conservator & Lighting Specialist, Shepherdstown, WV 

Leaders in the field will present case studies.

April 5, 2005
Under Cover: Exhibit Cases that Preserve        

A conservation-grade exhibit case is a well-designed and carefully fabricated display enclosure, and the most important and cost-effective tool for preserving vulnerable collections on exhibit.  This session will address the criteria for hazard-free exhibits; problematic and safe exhibit materials; structural and decorative materials; use of wood products; coatings and isolation   barriers; controlling pollutants and using pollutant sorbents; and monitoring and maintaining exhibits after installation.   

Session Leaders:	
Pam Hatchfield, Head of Objects Conservation, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Jean Tétreault, Senior Conservation Scientist, Canadian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, Canada
                                                	
April 6, 2005
Safe & Sound: Secure Mounts for Exhibitions

The exhibit mount is where the exhibit plan and the collection intersect; its design and fabrication are critical to long-term preservation.  This session will address how successful exhibit mounts meet aesthetic objectives while protecting objects from damage, and will look at the elements of a conservation-grade exhibit mount; how to identify objects that need custom mounts; criteria of successful mounts; the diverse categories of mounts; key strengths and weaknesses of mounts; and technology available for special conditions, such as earthquakes.   

Session Leaders:	
Robert Sieger, Exhibit Mount and Installation Specialist, President, Fine Art Service, LLC, Glendale, WI
Shelly Smith, Book Conservator, Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts, Philadelphia, PA
                                                	
Leaders in the field will present case studies.

Funders

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Independence Foundation, and The Pew Charitable Trusts have provided partial support for this program.


Registration Fee

                                        CCAHA Member Fee                CCAHA Non-Member Fee
1 day                            $  80.00                         $  90.00
2 days                           $140.00                          $150.00
All 3 days                       $190.00                          $200.00


Registration cost includes a copy of the electronic publication in CD-ROM format, Exhibit Conservation Guidelines, prepared by the Division of Conservation of the National Park Service.


For information about CCAHA, its programs and services, and for workshop registration forms, please visit our website at www.ccaha.org or contact CCAHA's Preservation Services Office at 215.545.0613 or [log in to unmask]

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