Course on X-ray radiography

The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic
Works in partnership with the Maryland Archaeological Conservation
Laboratory presents a "Current Topics" Workshop:

    Cultural Heritage X-Radiography: Image Quality, Enhancement, and
        Interpretation
    Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory,
    St. Leonard, Maryland (in the Washington, DC region)
    March 22-24, 2005

Instructors:

    Sonia O'Connor
    University of Bradford, U.K.

    Jason Maher
    Edutech, Carlisle Business Centre
    U.K.

Lecture/demonstration program:
    Tuesday through Wednesday, 9 am-5 pm

Lecture/demonstration and lab program:
    Tuesday through Thursday,  9 am-5 pm

2-day program fee:
    $300 AIC members
    $450 non-members

3-day program fee:
    $500 AIC members
    $750 non-members

Enrollment Limit: 30 total; 15 for 3-day program.
Registration Deadline: February 21, 2005.

Fees include lunches and refreshment breaks.  All other meals,
travel, and housing are the responsibility of the participants.

Selection of participants will be based on the order of receipt of
registration. The number of registrants accepted from a single
organization may be limited. Early registration is advised.

This is a two-day course, with a third day of optional laboratory
sessions, on the basics of cultural object X-radiography, aimed at
conservators, finds researchers and all specialists who work with,
or commission, X-radiographic images. This course will be a mixture
of lectures, seminars and practical sessions.

The first two core days of the course will focus on the production,
interpretation and limitations of high quality images and a range of
techniques will be covered.  Application lectures will touch on
everything from watermarks in wallpapers and metal weighting on silk
fabrics to mechanisms in toys and metallographic structures in cast
metals.  Along the way there is mention of armatures in sculptures
and sublimed metal residues in stone or ceramic moulds.  The only
areas that are not covered are the specialist areas of paintings and
works of art on paper.  Other subjects will include safety, new
applications for X-radiography, image digitization and basic digital
image processing.

There is an optional practical course on the third day for those who
would like to develop or update their proficiency in X-radiography
or digital image processing.

No prior training is necessary.  Participants will need at least a
passing knowledge of X-radiography, even if they have no day-to-day
experience. They will need a basic knowledge of computing e.g. how
to use Windows or Mac operating system, internet, email, common
office packages, keyboard, and mouse.  They do not need to have
prior understanding of digital imaging.

Sonia O'Connor has been working in conservation for nearly 30 years,
and was elected as a Fellow of IIC in 1985.  She is a conservator
and research fellow in the Department of Archaeological Sciences at
the University of Bradford.  She has held posts in university
departments, the National Maritime Museum, and the York
Archaeological Trust.  She has published extensively on a range of
conservation, archaeological and related topics and was the
assistant editor of The Conservator.  In recognition of her work in
raising the standards of X-radiography and promoting its use in
conservation, Sonia received the 2002 Nemet Award from the British
Institute of Non-Destructive Testing.

Jason Maher consults on digital imaging applications for
conservation and archaeological projects.  He has combined skills in
archaeology, physical anthropology, computer databases and image
analysis throughout his career. He provided technical training and
support for digital imaging and computer technology for the
Department of Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bradford
(as well as serving as their radiation protection officer), and now
teaches and advises on technology issues to voluntary and European
funded projects in Bradford.

Housing and Transportation: The Maryland Archaeological Conservation
Laboratory is best reached by car, and is approximately 90 minutes
southeast of downtown Washington, DC.  The closest airports are
Washington Reagan National (DCA) and Baltimore-Washington
International Airport (BWI).   Lodging choices within 10 miles of
the workshop location range from $55-$80 per night (single) and up.

This program is funded by the FAIC Endowment for Professional
Development, which is supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
and by contributions from members of the American Institute for
Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.  This program is also
supported in part by Fuji NDT Systems and Constellation Energy
Department of Plant Health Physics

For more information, contact:

    Eric Pourchot
    Program Officer for Professional Development
    American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
    1717 K Street NW
    Suite 200
    Washington DC 20006
    202-452-9545, ext. 12
    Fax: 202-452-9328
    epourchot [at] aic-faic__org

Registration forms are at <URL:http://aic.stanford.edu>


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:25
                Distributed: Wednesday, December 1, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-18-25-023
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