Northern States Conservation Center
Collections Caretaker eNewsletter
|
|
Welcome to the Collections Caretaker e-Newsletter from Northern States Conservation Center. the newsletter is designed to bring you content that is pertinent to situations we all encounter in our museum and archives work. Feel free to let us know what topics you would like to see featured in Collections Caretaker or even contribute and article. |
|
In this Issue
In Memory of Tom Bennett
Welcome to Ariel Rolfe
Featured Courses
September Courses
October Courses
November Courses
Conferences and Meetings
|
|
|
Tom Donald Bennett
1950-2021
It is with a sad heart that we announce that Tom Donald Bennett, our instructor for Mountmaking and Matting and Framing, died Monday June 28, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska, at the age of 70 from complications of cancer. Tom was born October 22, 1950 in Englewood, California the son of Donald Thomas Bennett and Cora Maxine Anderson Bennett.
Tom graduated from Tamalpais High School, in Mill Valley, California. He served in the US Air Force from 1969 to 1973. Stationed at Udorn, Thailand, during the Vietnam War, his camaraderie and sense of humor helped those who served with him maintain mental distance from the fighting.
His older sister, Kathy Bennett, remembers “He had to go into the military, at a very scary time of our history, to one of the most difficult and unappreciated military efforts… He lived a life, after that, appreciating life, nature, beauty --- preserving beauty of every kind… I am so proud to see his work. And so excited to meet and know ones that worked with him and cherished their relationship with him. I hope all who he touched remember him with fondness and appreciation, as I will.”
Tom attended the University of Victoria British Columbia, Heritage Preservation Program's basic mountmaking course. He learned how to design, fabricate and install structures that support objects and artifacts in exhibits. Tom mastered drawing, photography, mixed media sculpture, Plexiglas, brass, hot glass working, wood fabrication, and polyethylene foam. His mounts appear in the Anchorage Museum of History and Art, Alaska State Museum, Museum of the Aleutians, Washington Historical Society, Monterey Historical Society, Monterey History and Maritime Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Seattle-Tacoma Airport, and National Park Service and US Forest Service visitor centers. He worked for five different museum exhibit design and fabrication firms. He taught mountmaking online for MuseumClasses.org from 2013 until his death. “I'm enjoying teaching online more than ever before. It's an interesting look at how complex my side of the museum world is and has been and how many different crafts I use,” he wrote on March 29, 2020.
Tom was active in the museums of Anchorage, Alaska. As Executive Director, Tom played a major role in the start and organization of the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature (2002-2006). After he left, he continued to be generous with his time and skills, helping the Museum develop. He spent many years as the Museum Manager/Curator for the Alaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo (2009-2020), delighting thousands of school children with his history programs and his beautiful exhibits. On March 21, 2019 he posted on Facebook:“I chatted with a little girl and her Daddy today. She asked if I’m old. I said I’m sort of old, yah. She said with a very serious look “but you’re nice sorta old.” Kids can melt your heart at will.”
Tom was an active volunteer. He was President of the Board of Directors, Bird TLC (Bird Treatment and Learning Center) in Anchorage. “It is because of Tom and his good nature and magnetic personality that thousands of birds survive. He attracted important donors, passionate representatives from the media, and recruited volunteers all to the cause. He made friends with people from around the globe and I dare say there is not a life he touched that wasn’t made the better,” remembers Karen Dechman, former member of the Bird TLC Board of Directors.
Tom is survived by his sisters, Jackie Bennett of Anchorage and Kathy Bennett of California, and many, many friends, including his friends and colleagues at Northern States Conservation Center and museumclasses.org. His online courses will continue to be taught by Ariel Rolfe, one of his Alaska mount making colleagues. We will miss his laughter and cheerful disposition. He lifted spirits with everyone he met, including the students he met online while teaching about his passion. Remember Tom for his joy in all things.
“Goofing around again when I should be grading classes. Not being a good example today or so says the adult in me. The kid in me wants to go moon someone from a bus.” - March 19, 2019
|
|
Please Help Us Welcome Our Newest Instructor Ariel Rolfe
Ariel is a life-long Alaskan, born in Fairbanks, raised in Juneau and now living in Haines. She has spent the last 12 years working mainly as an exhibition fabricator and designer for various museums and cultural centers throughout Alaska and California. Ariel loves the adventure each new project brings and hearing the stories told in them. Her experience is mainly in mount making & general exhibit fabrication, particularly with brass, wood, and acrylic. Recently, she has been more involved in exhibition planning and design, including community meetings and brainstorming, planning and implementing large exhibit installations, and supervising exhibition technicians, volunteers, and interns. After two-years working for a museum in California, she is very happy to be back in Alaska where she spends her free time working on her dry-cabin homestead, spoiling her husky, and concocting herbal remedies with local plants.
_______________________________________
|
|
Featured Course:
Care of Paintings
|
Caring for paintings requires some knowledge of the component structure of paintings and the reaction of those components to both natural and man-made environments. This course looks at the painting structure, the effects of damaging environments, and proposes simple steps for basic care. Topics include the structure of paintings, proper condition reporting with standard damage vocabulary, and basic care and handling including environments, storage, and transport. The course is intended to help those entrusted with the care of paintings in any environment.
______________________________________
Would you like to learn more about the structure of paintings and how to best care for them? Join Elizabeth Burton for MS227 Care of Paintings starting September 6, 2021
|
|
Featured Course:
Formative Evaluations for Exhibits and Public Programs
Have you done some evaluation but did not get helpful information? Do you wish you could do evaluations, but think it is too hard or too expensive? Do you wonder how to get people to use an offered program more? Evaluations are feasible and easy. This course will help you determine what you really want to know, choose the right process to gather the information, develop meaningful questions, and figure out what the results tell you. Please have a program or text in mind (real or imagined) to work with during the course. Note: this course will not be looking at statistical analysis.
_________________________
|
|
Early Bird Discounts Available for Full Length Courses
An Early Bird Discount is available for anyone who signs up for a full length course from museumclasses.org 30 days prior to the start of that course.
Sign up for a full length course up to 30 days prior to its start and save $100.00!
To take advantage of this discount, you must enter coupon code EARLYBIRD at checkout at collectioncare.org
Earlybird Discount Deadline for October 2021 Courses is September 4, 2021
Earlybird Discount Deadline for November 2021 Courses is October 2, 2021
|
|
September Courses
September 6 to October 1, 2021
Instructor: Diana Komejan
Description:
Archaeological finds come out of the ground fragile - and they often stay that way. Yet archaeologists and museum professionals have few clear guidelines for handling, moving, storing and displaying such materials. Participants in Care of Archaeological Artifacts From the Field to the Lab learn techniques for safely lifting and packing artifacts, safe transportation and temporary and permanent storage. The course also covers a broad range of excavation environments, including the Arctic, wet sites, tropical and temperate. Though Care of Archaeological Artifacts is not intended to train archaeological conservators, it is designed to help participants understand what can and can't be done to save the artifacts they unearth.
September 6 to Oct 1, 2021
Instructor: Elizabeth Burton
Description:
Caring for paintings requires some knowledge of the component structure of paintings and the reaction of those components to both natural and man-made environments. This course looks at the painting structure, the effects of damaging environments, and proposes simple steps for basic care. Topics include the structure of paintings, proper condition reporting with standard damage vocabulary, and basic care and handling including environments, storage, and transport. The course is intended to help those entrusted with the care of paintings in any environment.
September 6 to October 1, 2021
Instructor: Tom Bennett
Description:
Matting and Framing teaches the materials and techniques of conservation-quality framing. For display, matting and framing provides both protective and aesthetic contributions to art on paper. Students will learn about different types of enclosures, different mat styles and cutting methods, the pros and cons of different backing boards and glazing, and different methods of attaching items to a mat, some of which do not involve adhering hinges to art on paper. Lectures, illustrations, product resources, and additional informational references will be provided.
September 6 to October 1, 2021
Instructor: Karin Hostetter
Description:
Have you done some evaluation but did not get helpful information? Do you wish you could do evaluations, but think it is too hard or too expensive? Do you wonder how to get people to use an offered program more? Evaluations are feasible and easy. This course will help you determine what you really want to know, choose the right process to gather the information, develop meaningful questions, and figure out what the results tell you. Please have a program or text in mind (real or imagined) to work with during the course. Note: this course will not be looking at statistical analysis.
September 6 to October 1, 2021
Instructor: John Veverka
Description:
There is more to a guided tour than information – you also need inspiration. This course will help curators teach and coach their docents and volunteers to create interpretive stories and experiences that will help make their presentations “come to life” for their visitors.
This training course will help curators help prepare their docents for tours that:
1. Have an interpretive theme.
2. Have accomplishable objectives.
3. Has about 7 tour stops, each of which illustrate the main interpretive theme.
4. Use interpretive communications structure for each stop (provoke, relate and reveal).
5. Use the techniques of tangibles and intangibles in their presentation.
6. Encourage the use of multiple senses to relate to visitors.
7. Have a provocative introduction and then ending conclusion summary for the tour.
8. Have as much "inspiration" as "information".
9. Leave the visitors asking for more (when's your next tour?).
September 6 to October 1, 2021
Instructor: Sarah Kapellusch
Description:
Every museum has a few stray items. Some lost tags long ago. Others turn up as surprises during inventories. A few are all that remain from long-ago exhibits. While you'll want to keep some, others may be deteriorating. Even worse, some pose significant hazards for staff and the rest of the collection. All raise legal and professional questions. How do you deal with objects that have no records? Or loans from unidentified or deceased lenders? Found in the Collection addresses how to identify abandoned objects and old loans. It further covers the application of state laws and rules for identifying owners or establishing ownership.
|
|
October Courses
October 11 to 15, 2021
Instructor: Diana Komejan
Description:
As we march boldly toward the 22nd century, artifact collecting includes that most fragile of materials - plastic. Not only is it in our collections, but it is used to house our collections, too. What problems have you seen? What problems have others seen? What materials are best? What can we, as caretakers, do to minimize long-term damage? Join Diana in this mini-course for discussing care and deterioration of plastics. Bring any questions you have about plastics in your museum.
October 4 to November 12, 2021
Instructor: Karin Hostetter
Description:
Nearly every museum develops exhibits, but how can we improve communication with visitors while taking care of our objects? Exhibit Fundamentals explores exhibits from idea to final installation in a variety of settings. Topics include exhibit theory, the role of the museum's mission, creating a timeline, accessibility and script writing. Also covered are design elements, installation techniques, object safety and security, visitor safety and evaluations. Each student develops an exhibit plan for his or her museum.
October 4 to 29, 2021
Instructor: Laura Elliff Cruz
Description:
One of the great benefits of the 21st century is the abundance of materials for storing and displaying collections. Materials for Storage and Display covers this vast array in detail. Lectures and handouts separate materials by properties: rigid, padding, barrier and attachments. Slide shows illustrate the use of each. The course emphasizes acid-free materials and how to retrofit less appropriate materials. Materials for Storage and Display keeps current with the latest materials available for preservation. Using material testing as a decision making tool is covered.
October 4 to 29, 2021 NEW DATES!
Instructor: Jennifer Edwards
Description:
Archives include flat paper, photographs, bound pamphlets, books, small 3-dimensional objects, and magnetic media. The Archives Management course covers an introduction to the materials found in archives and typical use of these materials including use patterns, retrieval needs, finding aids, handling and exhibition. The last half of the course details optimum storage options for archival materials. Storage includes furniture, storage techniques, standardized and specialized housing such as folders and boxes and custom-made housings.
October 4 to November 12, 2021
Instructor: Ariel Rolfe
Description:
Sprucing up your exhibits with safe, effective, inexpensive mounts can be easier and more fun than you thought. With a few tools, good technique and a bit of practice, you will be well on the way to presenting your objects in their most interesting light, with an eye on long-term safety and security. Design and Construction of Exhibit Mounts presents the basics of mountmaking for the small to medium-sized museum including tools, techniques and materials. Be prepared to construct mounts during the course. Students will be sent a list of materials and tools to acquire before the course commences. Come along and exercise your creative side while doing the collection a world of good.
|
|
November Courses
November 1 to 12, 2021
Instructor: Peggy Schaller
Description:
The heart of every museum is its collection. A mission statement is critical to preserving that collection. Participants in The Mission Statement will discuss their mission statements and whether they really make a difference. Peggy has seen and heard it all as a consultant to small and large museums. She will help you figure out ways to make your mission statement work for you.
November 15 to 19, 2021
Instructor: Karin Hostetter
Description:
What do you do with collection objects that no longer belong in the scientific collection but are too good to throw out? What do you do with the donations that just don't quite 'fit?' Use them in education collections. Their value as educational objects for the public is immeasurable.
November 1 to December 10, 2021
Instructor: Ernest Conrad
Description:
The museum's brick exterior wall is crumbling. The powder coated metal storage shelves have active rust under the foam padding. Objects in fur storage are covered in mold. It is raining in the exhibit hall. This is the damage that occurs to museum buildings or collection when staff do not understand preservation environments. Preservation Environments is essential knowledge for any collecting institution. Everyone should understand how humidity and temperature are controlled by a building and its mechanical system. For museum staff considering a new building - and any institution planning to expand or rebuild an existing one - Preservation Environments provide important information for calculating whether the proposed improvements will actually improve the environmental control of your protective enclosure. Participants learn the advantages and disadvantages of numerous methods of temperature and humidity control. Preservation Environments does not try to turn museum professionals into engineers. Rather, it arms them with the knowledge they need to work with engineers and maintenance professionals. And helps explain why damaged occurred and how to keep it from happening again.
November 1 to 30, 2021
Instructor: Ann Coppinger
Description:
Caring for textiles demands an understanding of how and why they deteriorate. This course offers a simplified explanation of the origin and structure of textile fibers as well as the finished textile object; be it either a piece of whole cloth or a finished garment. Care of Textiles teaches students to identify fibers, fabric structures and finishes, write condition reports, and understand the agents of deterioration that are harmful to various fabrics both in storage on exhibit. Topics include preparing textiles for storage and exhibit, the use of archival materials with textiles, and three dimensional supports.
November 1 to 30, 2021
Instructor: Peggy Schaller
Description:
Collection inventories are vital to collection management and security. You need to know what is in your collection to be able to manage it well. This means regular inventories must occur. But knowing you must do them and actually having the time and manpower to complete an inventory are two different things. Collection Inventories discusses everything you ever wanted to know about collection inventories. From how to set one up to how to conduct an inventory. Other topics include what to look for during an inventory and how to reconcile the information.
November 1 to 30, 2021
Instructor: John Veverka
Description:
Interpreting "the rest of the story", a powerful Interpretive communications technique for revealing and releasing the "rest of the stories" hidden in artifacts, objects, historical figures/events, landscapes, or sites through both live presentations and interpretive media text and label copy. This course will help you utilize and blend the Paul Harvey Rest of the Story format with Tilden's Interpretive Principles. An interpretive technique marriage that can be embraced and used throughout your interpretive career.
Course Goals: Upon completion of this course participants will:
- Have a working knowledge of Tilden's Interpretive Principles and the Paul Harvey presentation style and format.
- Have a working knowledge of the Model of Interpretation.
|
|
Many organizations have put together information on resources for Museums and Covid-19. Here are a few links to those Resources. Check back with these organizations for updates.
Use the drop-down menu in the upper right to find Webinars, Virtual tours and more
|
|
Conferences and Meetings
Double check each organization's website for more information. Some may still be going virtual this year due to continued safety concerns over Covid 19.
|
|
2021
Oklahoma Museums Association, Shawnee, OK
September 15-17, 2021
American Association of State and Local History, Little Rock, AR
September 22-25, 2021 Virtual and Live
Mountain-Plains Museums Association, Sioux Falls, SD
October 5-8, 2021
International Foundation for cultural Property Protection, Virtual
October 13-15; 18-19, 2021
Southeastern Museums Conference, Chattanooga, TN
October 25 - 27, 2021
Association of Midwest Museums and Wisconsin Federation of Museums, Virtual conference
November 1-5, 2021
New England Museum Association, Newport, RI
November 17-19, 2021
National Association for Interpretation, Palm Springs, CA
November 3-December 4, 2021
|
|
Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums, Wilmington, DE
October 14-16-2021
2022
American Alliance of Museums, Boston MA
May 19-22, 2022
Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums, Tacoma, WA
June 23-28, 2022
Society of American Archivists, Boston, MA
August 20-27, 2022
Oklahoma Museums Association, Enid, OK
September 14-16, 2022
National Association for Interpretation, Cleveland, OH
November 29-Decemver 3, 2022
2023
American Alliance of Museums, Denver, CO
May 19-22, 2023
Society of American Archivists, Washington, DC
July 22-29, 2023
|
|
|
Submissions and Comments
How to submit an article or upcoming workshops for inclusion in the Newsletter:
If you would like to submit an article, notice of an organizational meeting or upcoming workshop for an upcoming Collections Caretaker Newsletter, send your submission to peggy@collectioncare.org.
We are always looking for contributions to this newsletter. Submission deadline is the 10th of each month.
Have a comment or suggestion?
|
|
Sincerely,
Helen Alten, Director
Peggy Schaller, Publications Manager
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
