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Short courses from International Academic Projects (2008 Programme)

Professional Development Programme 2008

The following International Academic Projects short courses will take place in 2008:

Chemistry for Conservators (by correspondence)

Date: 01 January 2008
End Date: 30 April 2008
Tutor: Velson Horie

Description: This four month correspondence course - which will run three times in 2008 starting 1st January (course now full), 1st March and 1st September - provides an introduction for people with little (for instance lower school chemistry studied years ago) or no chemistry.
The syllabus is aimed at major conservation issues: e.g. types of materials, the environment, cleaning and deterioration and is divided into four blocks:

1.An "Introduction" to chemical explanations of the physical world uses materials of common experience, air and water.
2."First principles" carries this further and explains the new language of chemistry.
3. "Chemistry in action" samples the chemistry of materials that are of use in conservation.
4. "Chemistry and the conservator", applies the knowledge gained in the previous blocks to your work.

The course can provide an excellent background for those wishing to enter training courses in conservation (indeed several conservation training establishments recommend this course to potential students with inappropriate chemistry qualifications).

The course will be conducted in English from January to April 2008, March to June 2008 and September to December 2008 by post. Tutors: C.V. Horie, The Manchester Museum, and Dr D. Kenyon (Adult Education Lecturer)

Course Size: 25
Price: £ 630.00

Conservation of Glass (USA)

Date: 19 May 2008 (Provisional Date)
End Date: 23 May 2008
Location: Corning Museum of Glass (Corning NY)
Tutor: Stephen Koob
Description: This practical course covers the the principles and practice of historical and archaeological glass cleaning, care, conservation and restoration. Discussions centre on aspects of deterioration, restoration methods and proper conditions for storage and display. Practical sessions include the use and choice of techniques and particular materials. The course is aimed at practising glass and other conservators and requires background knowledge in conservation.
Details of the techniques and materials covered in this course can be found in Stephen Koob's new book 'Conservation and Care of Glass Objects' published by Archetype Publications with the Corning Museum of Glass, 2006 (each participant will receive a copy)
From a 2006 participant : Stephen Koob is a down to earth instructor who shares techniques and facts about glass with ease and enthusiasm. I am grateful that I received a copy of his latest book - it is a valuable reference tool
Course Size: 6
Price: £ 475.00 / $ 950.00

Deacidification of Paper (London)

Date: 25 June 2008
End Date: 26 June 2008
Location: British Library, London
Tutor: Herve Cheradame
Description: This two day course covers paper chemistry and the problems of acidity, and the various treatments available, (including a new technique practised by the Centre Interrégional de Conservation du Livre, (CICL) Arles) and possible requirements in the future.
Discussions (where possible, demonstrated in practical work) will include:
i) determination of the acidity of a paper (surface pH non-destructive, pH cold extract)
ii) determination of the alkaline reserve of a paper
iii) the treatment of an acidic paper using conventional methods (spray)
iv) the treatment of a paper by the CICL method
v) determination of the breaking length of papers.

It should be noted that the British Library does not necessarily endorse any or all of the techniques discussed in this course.
Course Size: 16
Price: £ 245.00 / $ 515.00

Digital Photography of Museum Objects (London)

Date: 24 June 2008
End Date: 25 June 2008
Tutor: Stuart Laidlaw
Description: This two day practical course is for those who wish to optimise the results they are obtaining using digital equipment to record images of museum objects. Whilst there will be discussions on the use and choice of digital cameras, the emphasis will be on practical photographic and lighting techniques and on how to manipulate the resultant digital images for use in reports, exhibition catalogues etc.
Price: £ 275.00 / $ 600.00

Digital Photography of Museum Objects (Tenerife)

Date: 14 May 2008 Provisional Date
End Date: 16 May 2008
Location: Tenerife
Tutor: Stuart Laidlaw
Description: This course is for those who wish to optimise the results they are obtaining using digital equipment to record images of museum objects. Whilst there will be discussions on the use and choice of digital cameras, the emphasis will be on practical photographic and lighting techniques and on how to use the resultant digital images in reports, exhibition catalogues etc.
Course Size: 20

Giltwood Frame and Object Restoration Workshop (Oxford or London)

Date: 30 June 2008
End Date: 04 July 2008
Location: London or Oxford
Tutor: Sophie Woodhouse
Description: This 5 day practical course (location to be decided: either Oxford or London) is aimed at all those who restore damaged giltwood artifacts (frames (picture,mirror etc.), furniture, figures, ornamentation, etc. Techniques demonstrated and worked on in the workshop include: moulding, casting and modelling small repairs; preparation of surfaces for gilding; water and oil gilding; finishing techniques. Where feasible, participants are encouraged to bring small items for restoration with them.
Course Size: 12
Price: £ 450.00 / $ 910.00

Identification of Paper Workshop (London)

Date: 07 July 2008
End Date: 08 July 2008
Location: London Metropolitan University
Tutor: Peter Bower
Description: This is a 2 day workshop which teaches participants to 'read' paper through the history of paper manufacturing and visual and microscopic examination of various papers of different provenances in order to establish: the date and method of manufacturing; place of origin; what it is made of (fibre ID); watermark; wire profiles etc.
Low power and high power visual examination and microscopy will be employed.
The course concentrates on European papers and participants are encouraged to bring papers - particularly ones which are difficult or problematic to identify.
Course Size: 12
Price: £ 335.00 / $ 670.00

Identification of Wood (London)

Date: 21 July 2008 (Provisional Date)
End Date: 25 July 2008
Location: London Metropolitan University
Tutor: Sue Newton
Description: This is essentially a practical course. Introductory talks cover the structure and growth of plants and the identification of plant materials by the evaluation of their anatomical characteristics. Softwood and hardwood timbers will be studied using the Princes Risborough and other wood identification keys and other reference sources. Other atypical wood materials will also be covered. Participants will employ microscope and sample preparation techniques. Time will also be devoted to the recognition of both traditional and commonly available woods, in solid and veneer form. The course is suitable for conservators, furniture restorers,forensic scientists etc. It is also a useful introduction to the identification of wood fibres in objects, furniture and even paper.
Course Size: 10
Price: £ 450.00 / $ 910.00

Indo-Persian Paintings Workshop (London)

Date: 16 June 2008
End Date: 20 June 2008
Location: London, British Library
Tutor: Anita Chowdry
Description: The main aim of this practical workshop run in collaboration with the British Library is to provide participants with a body of experience and resources for a deeper understanding of the practical aspects of Indo-Persian painting, and a basis from which to undertake further personal study. Participants are given a basic grounding in the materials that were used, and the way in which they were prepared for use. This includes the sizing and preparation of paper and cotton painting surfaces, and the grinding and cleaning of minerals such as malachite and gold to make water-based paints. The use of a variety of mineral pigments is demonstrated, and how their properties influenced painting practice is explained and examined. The emphasis is on the practical experience of the painters who worked in the royal ateliers of the Mughal and Regional Indian courts and the training undertaken by artists in the ateliers. Participants are introduced to the practice of drawing using Indian miniaturist’s squirrel-hair brushes, and the various stages involved in constructing a painting, including the application of colour and gold.
Course Size: 15
Price: £ 495.00 / $ 1000.00

Integrated Pest Management for Libraries and Archives (London)

Date: 22 July 2008
Location: British Library, London
Tutor:    David Pinniger
Description: This one day course is aimed at anyone involved with, or responsible for, the care of libraries, archives and collections of books and paper.
The aim is:
1. To introduce the main insect pests which attack collections - What they need to live - How to identify them - The damage they cause - Ways to prevent them becoming established.
2. To understand pest environments/habitats.
3. To considerthe selection of the most appropriate treatments for control pests.
4. To investigate methods of establishing an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme.

Technical handouts will be given to support the course.
Course Size: 24
Price: £ 145.00 / $ 290.00

Lapis Lazuli - Fact and Fiction (workshop), London

Date: 08 July 2008
Location: London
Tutor: David Margulies
Description: This practical workshop which will take place at the British Library, London, explores the fact and fiction surrounding Lapis Lazuli in history - its geology, trade and uses. In the studio, participants will experience hands-on processing of the stone into objects and the manufacture and methods of application of lapis as a pigment.
This course aims to be helpful to conservators and curators in understanding the methods of preparing, using and applying lapis lazuli to works of art.
Course Size: 14
Price: £ 145.00 / $ 290.00

Leather Conservation Workshop (Northampton)

Date: 15 July 2008
End Date: 17 July 2008
Location: Northampton
Tutor: Aline Angus & Yvette Fletcher
Description: This 3 day practical workshop, to be offered in association with the Leather Conservation Centre, will be held in Northampton and covers:
- the structure, properties and manufacture of leather including an overview of historic tanning techniques.
- an understanding of how leather deteriorates and the causes of deterioration
- the identification of hide species and tanning methods, including shrinkage temperature and pH tests
- knowledge of various cleaning methods and materials, consolidation and humidification
- knowledge of various repair methods and materials including adhesives

The practical sessions include the use of filling material, dyestuffs and moulding techniques, shrinkage temperature and leather identification.
In addition to the two course tutors, Roy Thomson, formerly Chief Executive of the Leather Conservation Centren and expert in leather history and chemistry will also be contributing to the workshop.
Course Size: 16
Price: £ 375.00 / $ 750.00

Making High Quality Electroform Replicas (Denmark)

Date: 15 July 2008
End Date: 17 July 2008
Location: Northampton
Tutor: Aline Angus & Yvette Fletcher
Description: This 3 day practical workshop, to be offered in association with the Leather Conservation Centre, will be held in Northampton and covers:
- the structure, properties and manufacture of leather including an overview of historic tanning techniques.
- an understanding of how leather deteriorates and the causes of deterioration
- the identification of hide species and tanning methods, including shrinkage temperature and pH tests
- knowledge of various cleaning methods and materials, consolidation and humidification
- knowledge of various repair methods and materials including adhesives

The practical sessions include the use of filling material, dyestuffs and moulding techniques, shrinkage temperature and leather identification.
In addition to the two course tutors, Roy Thomson, formerly Chief Executive of the Leather Conservation Centren and expert in leather history and chemistry will also be contributing to the workshop.
Course Size: 16
Price: £ 375.00 / $ 750.00

Making High Quality Resin Replicas of Museum Objects (Denmark)

Date: 26 May 2008
End Date: 30 May 2008
Location: Dianalund, Denmark
Tutor: Benner Larsen
Description: Participants on this highly developed practical course, will carry out the techniques required in the making of high quality resin replicas for exhibition and conservation purposes. Procedures and topics covered include mould-making principles; the casting of materials; making silicon rubber moulds for multiple replicas; mixing, storing and using epoxy resin; the application of pigments; finishing and retouching. The case histories range from projects on microsurfaces to large-scale rock art replicas. The course is held in Benner Larsen's purpose built laboratory.
Course Size: 10
Price: £ 545.00 / $ 1110.00

Mounting Museum Objects for Exhibition (Aberdeen)

Date: 08 July 2008
End Date: 10 July 2008
Location: Marischal Museum, Aberdeen
Tutor: Roy Mandeville
Description: During this wholly practical three day course to be held at the Marischal Museum, Aberdeen, participants develop practical skills in the techniques of making object mounts in acrylic and brass and in fabric covering techniques for display plinths and panels. Related topical issues - climate control, lighting and materials suitability, are discussed and case studies considered relating to the Horniman Museum and many other collections. This course is for those persons who need to make mounts for 3-dimensional objects on exhibition.
Course Size: 10
Price: £ 385.00 / $ 780.00

New Methods of Cleaning Painted Surfaces of 3D Objects (Australia)

Date: 04 August 2008
End Date: 08 August 2008
Location: Brisbane
Tutor: Richard Wolbers (Click for biographical details)
Description: This course will be held at The Queensland Art Gallery /Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane. It is aimed at objects conservators and consists of morning lectures and afternoon practical and discussion sessions - an arrangement allowing participants to try out in practice the discussed methods and materials. Topics include the characterisation of surfaces; an overview of aqueous and solvent techniques; chelating / complexing materials; thickeners, gels, pastes and poultices; resin soaps; enzymes and emulsions.

During the course of this five-day workshop, participants will be presented with a general survey of the theoretical principles needed to evaluate, as well as formulate, for themselves, tailored aqueous and solvent based cleaning systems for various surfaces on books, paper, leather and parchment.
Case histories illustrating the use of these principles will be presented during morning lecture sessions. Afternoon sessions will be devoted to the practical preparation of materials discussed in the morning sessions. The goal will be to better empower participants to formulate tailored preparations for both surface cleaning problems (soil removal) as well as coating and re-paint/over-paint removal problems.
Practice pieces will be provided to experiment with, participants are invited to bring test or problematic items to work out cleaning systems. Each participant will also make a gel eraser. Participants will be invited to share the results of their individual experiments in a final class presentation. The course fee is Aus $1100.00 All enquiries for this course to be directed to Lyn Streader – lyn.streader(at)qag.qld.gov.au

Course Size: 15
Price: £ 480.00 (Aus $1100.00)

New Methods of Cleaning Paintings (Australia)

Date: 28 July 2008
End Date: 01 August 2008
Location: Brisbane
Tutor: Richard Wolbers
Description: This course will be held at The Queensland Art Gallery /Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane. It is aimed at paintings conservators and consists of morning lectures and afternoon practical and discussion sessions - an arrangement allowing participants to try out in practice the discussed methods and materials. Topics include the characterisation of surfaces; an overview of aqueous and solvent techniques; chelating / complexing materials; thickeners, gels, pastes and poultices; resin soaps; enzymes and emulsions.

During the course of this five-day workshop, participants will be presented with a general survey of the theoretical principles needed to evaluate, as well as formulate, for themselves, tailored aqueous and solvent based cleaning systems for various surfaces on books, paper, leather and parchment.
Case histories illustrating the use of these principles will be presented during morning lecture sessions. Afternoon sessions will be devoted to the practical preparation of materials discussed in the morning sessions. The goal will be to better empower participants to formulate tailored preparations for both surface cleaning problems (soil removal) as well as coating and re-paint/over-paint removal problems.
Practice pieces will be provided to experiment with, participants are invited to bring test or problematic items to work out cleaning systems. Each participant will also make a gel eraser. Participants will be invited to share the results of their individual experiments in a final class presentation. The course fee is Aus $1100.00 All enquiries for this course to be directed to Lyn Streader – lyn.streader@qag.qld.gov.au
Course Size: 15
Price: £ 480.00 (1100 Aus $)

New Methods of Cleaning Surfaces of Books and Paper (London)

Date: 14 July 2008 Provisional Date
End Date: 18 July 2008
Location: British Library, London
Tutor: Richard Wolbers
Description: This course will be held at the new conservation facilities at the British Library. It is aimed at book and paper conservators and consists of morning lectures and afternoon practical and discussion sessions - an arrangement allowing participants to try out in practice the discussed methods and materials. Topics include the characterisation of surfaces; an overview of aqueous and solvent techniques; chelating / complexing materials; thickeners, gels, pastes and poultices; resin soaps; enzymes and emulsions.

During the course of this five-day workshop, participants will be presented with a general survey of the theoretical principles needed to evaluate, as well as formulate, for themselves, tailored aqueous and solvent based cleaning systems for various surfaces on books, paper, leather and parchment.
Case histories illustrating the use of these principles will be presented during morning lecture sessions. Afternoon sessions will be devoted to the practical preparation of materials discussed in the morning sessions. The goal will be to better empower participants to formulate tailored preparations for both surface cleaning problems (soil removal) as well as coating and re-paint/over-paint removal problems.
Practice pieces will be provided to experiment with, participants are invited to bring test or problematic items to work out cleaning systems. Each participant will also make a gel eraser. Participants will be invited to share the results of their individual experiments in a final class presentation.

Course Size: 20
Price: £ 495.00 / $ 1000.00
Accomodation: Not included

Pigments and the Polarising Microscope (Somerset, UK)

Date: 30 June 2008
End Date: 04 July 2008
Location: Somerset
Tutor: Peter MacTaggart
Description: This course has been attended by many conservators, conservation professors over the past 20 years and is as popular as ever.
The polarising microscope is an economic and efficient tool that can be used to identify most of the traditional pigments found on works of fine and applied art. Throughout this course each participant has the use of a polarising microscope to study the differences in the appearance and optical properties of more than 60 pigments. No experience in microscopy is necessary as the relevant optical phenomena (including refractive index, double refraction and pleochroism) are explained and over 100 slides of pigments and extenders are examined.
Course Size: 4
Price: £ 375.00 / $ 745.00
Accomodation: Participants can book their own accommodation at local bed and breakfasts

Preservation of Medieval Books (Italy)

Date: 04 August 2008 Provisional Date
End Date: 29 August 2008
Location: Montefiascone, Italy
Tutor: Cheryl Porter
Description: Montefiascone is a medieval walled city situated on a huge lake, about half way between Rome and Siena. Each summer, conservators, librarians, archivists, art historians and others interested in the history and the structure of the book, meet to participate in classes, which are held within the city walls. There are four week-long courses with different themes :

1.The History, geography and chemistry of the colours used to paint mediaeval miniatures- Western and Islamic. (Tutor : Cheryl Porter) 4-8 August
Details of the other 3 courses will be posted shortly.

For details of all these courses please click on 'course timetable' below. The classes run from 9.00 am to 1.00-1.30 pm daily.
Costs: The cost of each course is £345.00 ($620.00) per week. This includes all materials (except where specified) and tuition, which is in English. The programme is non-profit making and any extra money is used to buy materials for the library, archives and their collections.
Since classes are from 9am to 1.30pm, afternoons can be used for private study or for finishing work, though many prefer to take advantage of the spectacular setting to swim in the local, clean, huge, volcanic lake, or to explore the town, with its Romanesque and late medieval architecture and friendly inhabitants.

Course Size: 20
Price: £ 345.00 / $ 675.00

Please check for updates on this courses and for further details:
URL: http://www.academicprojects.co.uk

or contact:

    James Black
    International Academic Projects
    6 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 5HJ
    +44 207 380 0800
    Fax: +44 207 380 0500
    jb[at]academicprojects.co.uk

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