Courses on ceramics conservation

The South African Academy of Ceramics Conservation
<URL:http://www.acadceram.com> is delighted to announce that it has
taken occupation of its new, purpose designed facility, and takes
pleasure in offering the following inaugural courses in the new
training facility from its Mid-career Module series for practicing
restorers and conservators.

July 19-30, 2004
Course Title: Module 1: Mould Making, Casting and Gilding
Venue: Central Training Studio, Twee Riviere, South Africa
Course Tutor: Hazel Botha, Principal Tutor, The South African
Academy of Ceramics Conservation
Enrollment limit: 12 participants

    Course content and scope: This course constitutes the 1st Module
    in the Mid-career course series for restoration/conservation
    professionals, and as such carries a weight of two credits
    toward the attainment of the Academy's Professional Certificate
    in the Conservation and Restoration of Ceramics and Glass.

    This hands-on, practical course teaches participants the
    practices and techniques for the making of moulds with a variety
    of materials. Participants will receive instruction on the
    characteristics of mould making materials to assist in the
    selection of the most suitable material for particular projects.
    Suitable casting materials will be evaluated and studied,
    including the use of bulking agents where appropriate. The
    selection of different casting materials in compatible with
    various ceramic types will also be taught: The session on
    gilding will include instruction on the application of 23 carat
    gold leaf, transfer leaf and gold powder. Various gilding sizes
    will be discussed, including their suitability to the restored
    artifact.

    The course outline is as follows:

        *   Preparation of surfaces prior to the mould making
            process; this includes the making of wax replicas with
            soft modeling wax and the use of release agents

        *   Choosing the correct mould making material: a
            comparative study of the available mould making
            materials, including, Lab Putty, Silicone Rubber Putty,
            Silicone Rubber, Latex Rubber and Dental plaster

        *   Investigating the various types of moulds; two piece
            moulds, open moulds and multiple moulds.Choosing the
            correct casting materials; dental plaster, epoxy resins
            and polyester resins

        *   Choosing the correct medium for the required finish

        *   Gilding Sizes available for ceramics and glass
        restoration

        *   Applying the size and gold for the restoration process.

        *   Burnishing and finishing.

    The course comprises five days of hands-on tuition and
    participants are advised to bring a variety of ceramic and glass
    artifacts that may be used for the purposes of mould making,
    casting and gilding. Be mindful to also include objects from
    which a mould can be taken, e.g. a vase with two handles of
    which one is missing. This does not exclude articles of which
    portions are missing without a matching area from which to make
    a mould--in these cases the use of soft modeling, mould taking
    and casting will be practiced.

July 26-30 2004
Course Title: Module 7: Object Cleaning in Restoration/Conservation
Venue: Central Training Studio, Twee Riviere, South Africa
Course Tutor: Hazel Botha, Principal Tutor, The South African
Academy of Ceramics Conservation
Enrollment limit: 12 participants

    Course content and scope: This course constitutes the 7th Module
    in the Mid-career course series for restoration/conservation
    professionals, and as such carries a weight of two credits
    toward the attainment of the Academy's Professional Certificate
    in the Conservation and Restoration of Ceramics and Glass.

    This hands-on, practical module focuses on the cleaning of
    soiling/dirt and of vestiges of restoration materials that
    generally prove difficult to remove, either on account of the
    instability or vulnerability of the substrate/surface or the
    apparent insolubility of the undesirable material.

    Topics of special interest include:

        *   Types of soiling/dirt/contaminants and the nature of
            their adherence to the ceramic/glass object

        *   What are acids and bases, and how are they used in
            restoration/conservation?

        *   Surfactants and detergents: how do they actually work?

        *   Emulsions: definitions, preparations and their uses in
            restoration/conservation

        *   Chelation and its use in the removal of metals staining

        *   Enzymes: their classifications, preparation and uses in
            restoration/conservation

        *   The effective rinsing and clearance of cleaning
            materials

    Participants in Module 7 will be familiarized with different
    classes of materials and with how they are used to clean
    artifacts satisfactorily. Participants will also be taught how
    to prepare compounds specific to the different classes of
    dirt/contamination that the restorer encounters. The
    conventional approach to cleaning employs broad spectrum
    cleaning materials and methods, but is oftentimes too imprecise
    and generalized to prove effective, and may be furthermore
    incompatible with certain wares and types of soiling.

    This Module prepares and equips the restorer for these advanced
    cleaning tasks, allowing the practitioner to respond to it with
    informed and effective techniques that remove the dirt/soiling
    without risk to even vulnerable or unstable objects.The course
    comprises five days of tuition and participants are advised to
    bring a variety of ceramic and glass artifacts that are in need
    of cleaning.

Package Cost Per Module: $630.00 (includes course fees,
accommodation for 7 days inclusive of breakfast and dinner,
collection from and return to Port Elizabeth Airport, as well as
daily transport to and from class).

Registration deadline: June 25, 2004

Module Certificates are issued to each participant upon successful
completion of each of the specialist short courses.

Prerequisites for enrolment: Prior experience and/or relevant
training in practical restoration skills are required. This also
implies a general appreciation and grasp of the ethics and values
that govern modern conservation practices. (The 5-day format of the
course does not permit opportunity to revisit this foundation, and
will therefore assume that it constitutes familiar ground to the
participant).

It is recommended that (where possible) participants endeavor to
also bring their day to day hand tools and own airbrush to ensure
maximum relevancy. However, all the required materials, tools and
equipment will be provided, as well as full course notes.

Any assistance or enquiries relating to course content,
registrations, VISA applications, air travel, transport or
accommodation may be directed to the Programme Office:

    The South African Academy of Ceramics Conservation
    PO Box 122
    Joubertina, 6410
    South Africa
    +27 42 273 1567
    Fax: +27 42 273 2177
    conservation [at] eastcape__net

Johann Schouwerwou
(Programme Co-ordinator)
The South African Academy of Ceramics Conservation


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 17:69
                  Distributed: Wednesday, May 12, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-17-69-005
                                  ***