Happy New Year from CCAHA! In 2021, we will continue procedures put in place in response to COVID-19 to offer safe, socially-distanced pick-up and drop-off of objects for conservation treatment. We also offer virtual consultations via Zoom. For more information or to schedule a new appointment, email our Client Services Administrator Edie Tanis Brenna or call (215) 545-0613 x 303. The entire CCAHA staff is available by email to answer your questions and discuss new and ongoing projects.
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Senior Conservation Assistant
Anna Yates Krain Retires
This month, we said farewell to Senior Conservation Assistant Anna Yates Krain, who retired after nearly 34 years at CCAHA. As one of the Center's longest-tenured employees, it's impossible to sum up the impact Anna made here. She joined the CCAHA team in 1987 after studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, beginning her career as a technician making paste and assisting with basic treatments. Over time, Anna went on to treat countless objects, taught workshops on a range of conservation and housing topics, and was responsible for many of CCAHA's most inventive housing solutions. As with most milestones during the pandemic, we are sadly unable to mark this occasion with the party it deserves. We look forward to properly celebrating Anna's retirement as soon as it's safe to gather, hopefully later this year. In the meantime, we plan to share stories and images from Anna's time at CCAHA on social media and in a future installment of our newsletter.
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Opportunities at CCAHA
Preservation Services Coordinator
CCAHA is seeking a Preservation Services Coordinator to work under the guidance of the Director of Preservation Services and Education Program Manager. The Preservation Services Coordinator contributes to the overall work of the Preservation Services Department by offering administrative coordination and support, assisting with educational program production and logistics, and assisting in the expanse of capacity for preservation assessment work.
Preservation Specialist
The Preservation Specialist contributes to the mission of CCAHA through conducting institutional assessments and assisting with institutional preservation planning; supporting educational programs; and providing technical information to libraries, archives, museums, historic sites, and other cultural institutions.
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Treatment FOCUS: A Founding Document of the Historic Monday Club
Last fall, CCAHA staff worked with the Monday Club of Wilmington, Delaware, to digitally image and rehouse an important piece of the organization's rich history. Established in 1876, the Monday Club is a private social club formed by a group of Black men who gathered at a local Wilmington Hotel on their day off, Monday, with the goal of supporting one another and their community through active service and leadership. In the latest installment of our FOCUS newsletter, we learn more about this historic club--considered the oldest African American organization in the United States--as well as CCAHA's digitization and housing services. Click here to read the article. |
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Resource Spotlight: Light Exposure for Artifacts on Exhibition
Throughout the year, CCAHA staff members update and revise the many educational resources available on the Guides & Fact Sheets page of our website. This month, we're featuring the worksheet Light Exposure for Artifacts on Exhibition, compiled by CCAHA's Senior Paper Conservator Heather Hendry. Light can cause damage to collections. This resource offers guidelines for measuring and monitoring light and UV, suggested light levels for sensitive artifacts, and a number of additional resources on the subject. Click here to read and download this resource.
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WEBINAR
Incorporating Pandemic Preparedness in Institutional Emergency Plans
Date: Wednesday, March 10
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM
Presenter: Dyani Feige, Director of Preservation Services, CCAHA
In a recent survey among collecting institutions, the vast majority did not have in place an emergency preparedness plan to address either pandemics or the widespread, extended closures that most organizations experienced throughout 2020. While health and human safety must always be forefront in our preparedness and response strategies, there are collections impacts to consider as well. This webinar offers practical tips and resources on updating emergency preparedness and response plans accordingly. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with questions specific to their circumstances, as well as successes and challenges their organizations experienced related to COVID-19’s impact on the cultural heritage field.
Participation is limited to 30, as certain sections will be highly participatory and discussion-oriented.
This program is provided with generous support from the William Penn Foundation, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and Independence Foundation.
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VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
Diversity in Collections Care: Many Voices
Dates: March 23-24, 2021
Times: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
In March 2021, CCAHA will present Diversity in Collections Care: Many Voices, a two-day virtual colloquium to promote exchange of research, dialogue, and inspiration.
You may select from a variety of sessions, including:
- What is our professional collective definition of diversity? Listen to a webinar to familiarize yourself with up-to-date statistics and evolving terminology in the field.
- How does heritage preservation contribute to present-day social justice work? Interact directly with leading professionals during a presentation and participatory Q&A.
- What is a collection steward’s role in engaging communities in the care and representation of their own cultural heritage? Listen to pre-recorded case studies and discuss the successes and challenges.
- How does your institution serve its surrounding community? How can we best preserve the diverse voices embodied in our collections? Sign up to share experiences at a forum.
Scholarship information available soon. Follow #DiversityInCollectionsCare on Twitter!
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WEBINAR
Making a Four-Flap Enclosure
Date: Wednesday, March 31
Time: 2:00-3:30 PM
Presenter: Stephenie Schwartz Bailey, Education Program Manager & Preservation Consultant, CCAHA
Preservation housing is intended to provide safe and efficient storage for collections items. A four-flap enclosure for paper pamphlets, documents, and photographs has a fundamental design that prioritizes a variety of condition concerns, accommodates user access, and reduces unnecessary handling. How can you design a custom-sized four-flap enclosure of preservation-quality materials? Register early for this webinar and receive tools and supplies to construct a four-flap enclosure, and join a synchronistic activity with the instructor.
Registration required by March 10th to receive participant packet by mail and limited to 30 participants.
This program is provided with generous support from the William Penn Foundation, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and Independence Foundation.
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Founded in 1977, the Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts (CCAHA) is a one-stop shop for every conservation and preservation need. CCAHA specializes in the treatment of works on paper, photographs, and books, as well as state-of-the-art digital imaging services. CCAHA’s preservation services staff present education programs and conduct preservation assessments nationwide. CCAHA also offers conservation fellowships, fundraising support, disaster assistance, and more.
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