Courses on ceramics conservation

Practical problem solving in restoration/conservation
and
Conservation of low-fired and unfired wares
Ceramics and Glass Conservation Faculty
Twee Riviere, South Africa

The South African Academy of Ceramics Conservation
<URL:http://www.acadceram.com> is pleased to announce two specialist
courses from its Mid-career Module series for practicing restorers
and conservators.

Practical Problem Solving in Restoration/Conservation
Course Tutor:

   Hazel Botha
   Principal Tutor
   The South African Academy of Ceramics Conservation
   Early presentation: February 7 -11, 2005
   Repeat presentation: February 21 - 25, 2005
   Venue: Ceramics and Glass Conservation Faculty, Twee Riviere,
   South Africa

   Enrollment limit - 12

    Course content and scope: This course constitutes the fourth
    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.

    Module 4--Practical Problem Solving in Restoration/Conservation
    investigates and demonstrates effective and productive
    methodology, defining a "system of approach" to a restoration
    project. When presented with a restoration "problem", what are
    the proven mechanisms and considerations available to the
    restorer when appraising the object and task at hand? How may
    the root of a restoration difficulty be identified? How may
    false solutions be eliminated? How may an apparent paradox be
    resolved? How may a restoration crisis be brought under control?

    Students will also be introduced to a "check list" of proposals
    and analytical thought which directs the planning and decision
    making prior to actual restoration. The objective of the course
    is to develop and instill effective and productive approaches to
    the variety of obstacles and difficulties that crop up in the
    pursuit of objects restoration, and this interesting subject
    matter is approached in a practical, hands-on manner.

    Participants are encouraged to bring restoration projects
    containing treatments that pose restoration challenges of any
    nature whatsoever. Practical restoration as well as analytical
    discussions relating to the above mentioned mechanisms and
    practical considerations will be undertaken on the objects. This
    course presents the opportunity to restorers to submit all
    restoration difficulties--whether actual or theoretical--for
    treatment and discussion.

    Keep in mind that the total amount of time set aside for
    practical work is no more than three days. Participants should
    expect that they will be engaged in theoretical work,
    evaluations as well as prerequisite restoration for the balance
    of the five days, and must make allowance for this.

    Participants who need to perform treatments on an object with
    materials or techniques which are part of modules not yet
    attended by that restorer, will receive instruction limited to
    that object only, as time and scope will not permit for the
    in-depth training on the specialist subject of another module.

    All the required materials, tools and equipment will be
    provided, as well as full course notes. It is nonetheless
    recommended that participants additionally bring along their day
    to day hand tools, to ensure maximum relevancy. Module
    Certificates are issued to each participant upon successful
    completion of this specialist short course.

    Package Cost Per Module: $995.00 (includes course fees,
    accommodation and breakfast for a maximum of seven days,
    collection from and return to Port Elizabeth Airport, as well as
    daily transport to and from class). Registration deadlines:
    January 21 and February 4, respectively.

Module 2--The Conservation of Low-fired and Unfired Wares
Course Tutor:

   Hazel Botha
   Principal Tutor
   The South African Academy of Ceramics Conservation

   February 14 - 18, 2005
   Enrollment limit: 12

    Course content and scope: This course constitutes the 2nd 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.

    Module 2--The Conservation of Low-fired and Unfired Wares
    introduces restorers to the difficulties and complexities
    associated with the treatment of very porous or unfired wares,
    including terra cotta, earthenware, plaster of Paris, stone,
    marble, ivory and resin-cast objects. This group of ceramics and
    non-ceramic materials exhibit very particular restoration
    requirements and complexities. Due to the low-temperature kiln
    firing (or entirely unfired state) of these objects, they are
    markedly less stable and correspondingly vulnerable to a number
    of common materials and regular restoration treatments.

    The content of Module 2 provides instruction on how these
    hazards may be negotiated by using better matched materials
    and/or techniques, allowing the restorer to extend their range
    of studio services with knowledgeable confidence. Not only does
    this essential knowledge safeguard such objects from damage, but
    it will also avoid frustration and loss of productivity for the
    restorer. This module, incidentally, is an essential preparation
    for undertaking work on primitive pottery and similar artifacts.

    Course content includes:

        *   How to identify earthenware / low-fired ware, plaster
            and resin objects.

        *   The introduction of new cleaning methods.

        *   Consolidation, new adhesive types and their uses.

        *   Shellac and acrylics as retouching media.

        *   Understanding solvents and their solubility parameters.

        *   Softer colour fills with phenolic resin, glass
            microballoons, barium sulphate, kaolin powder and French
            chalk.

        *   Specialized methods and essential precautions for
            cleaning, consolidation, adhesion, gap fill and
            retouching of such objects

        *   Practical training in the use of the following advanced
            materials needed for the above processes--Paraloid B44,
            Mowital B30H, Paraloid B72 (as adhesive),

        *   Cellulose nitrate, kneadable rubber putty, Groomstick,
            Barium Sulphate Kaolin Powder, French chalk.

    Even though selected objects will be on hand in class as
    tutoring aids, participants are also encouraged to bring
    suitable objects of their own--or sherds of such objects--on
    which they will undertake actual restoration, under close
    guidance of the tutor. Participants are also reminded to bring
    their day to day hand tools to ensure maximum relevancy. All the
    required materials, tools and equipment will be provided, as
    well as full course notes. Module Certificates are issued to
    each participant upon successful completion of this specialist
    short course.

    Prerequisites for enrollment: 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...)

Package Cost Per Module: $995.00 (includes course fees,
accommodation and breakfast for a maximum of seven days, collection
from and return to Port Elizabeth Airport, as well as daily
transport to and from class). Registration deadline: January 21,
2005

Any assistance or enquiries relating to course content,
registrations, VISA applications, air travel, transport or
accommodation may be directed to Ms Heidi McKenna or Mrs Nadya Sanda
at our institution's Programme Office:

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

Heidi McKenna
Assistant Programme Co-ordinator
The South African Academy of Ceramics Conservation


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:25
                Distributed: Wednesday, December 1, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-18-25-026
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