Canadian Association for Conservation

ARG! Alberta Regional Group of Conservators

Events | News | Services | Mannequins

Archive: 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998
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Highlights of 1999

OUTREACH/INTRODUCTION TO THE PROFESSION

• January: The Edmonton and District Historical Society (EDHS) published an article by Cyndie Lack in their January newsletter. Entitled "A Few Notes on the Collection and Preservation of Historical Paintings", the article gives useful guidelines about caring for paintings, but also about conservation and why it is important to contact a conservator. You can read the article which is a good example of outreach, at the resource centre of Museums Alberta. This reference, non-circulating library is available to all members.
  
  

  
  Before and After conservation by Cyndie Lack: The condition of this oil painting, while previously torn, had been worsened by an inappropriate repair attempt. A patch applied over the back of the tears was adhered with cellulose nitrate adhesive causing the severe canvas deformations shown in the before treatment photo. Identification and removal of the adhesive formed the first phase of treatment, followed by numerous humidification/flattening treatments. Due to the relative size of the tears, it was necessary to "line" the painting, i.e., adhere it to a secondary textile support. It was then stretched over a support panel and the final phase of work, including filling and inpainting of losses, undertaken.
  
  

• April: Shirely Ellis gave presentations to the Edmonton Needlecraft Guild, and "What Every Framer Should Know", for the Frame Tutors School. Flora Davidson presented "How to Care for Collectibles" at Times Change Antiques. Margot Brunn reviewed the Health and Safety Symposium with relevant material aspects for sculptors working in various mediums, for the Alberta Sculpture Association. Gail Niinimaa was featured on Channel A prior to her Textile Conservation Workshop "Caring for Your Textile Heirloom" for the Glenbow Museum's Terrific Tuesday series.
  
  

• May: Shirley Ellis taught a workshop on textile conservation at the Nickle Arts Museum for the Museum and Heritage Studies program which can be used as a minor for selected faculties at The University of Calgary. A block course called Introduction to Conservation has been offered for the past two years and is very popular and often has long waiting lists. The course which runs in May is comprised of day workshops in five different areas of conservation. The coordinator for block courses at The University of Calgary is Elizabeth Clark elclark@ucalgary.ca

• October: Margot Brunn and Joanne White initiated an ARG! project for publishing a Museum Mannequin Handbook which will showcase examples for aesthetic and practical clothing support construction.
  
  

• December:Cynthia Ball and Audrey Yardley-Jones have launched a Call for Submissions for an Emergency Resource Tool Publication. Edited by Cynthia and Audrey, it is intended to guide museums, archives, art galleries and libraries to develop an emergency plan that accesses resources in their own communities.
  
  LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

• February: Janice Manuel taught an evening session on wood identification. Thanks to NAIT Wood Products Engineering Technology & Cabinetmaking Apprenticeship Program, four ARG! members were able to get 3 1/2 hours of practicing sectioning and microscopic identification of pores, parynchyma, and ray cells from hardwood samples.

  Sampling Technique: First examine the gross features of the wooden object and select the best sample location (with intact radial, tangential and transverse from a hidden area). Use a knife for stop cuts; start with a tiny sliver no larger than the diameter of a kitchen match. Slice a clean, true section with a double-edged razor blade, thin enough to show cellular detail. Use as a guide: Identifying Wood, by R. Bruce Hoadley, The Taunton Press, 1990.

• July: Architectural Drawing; Their History and Preservation
  The workshop with Lois Olcott Price, Conservator of Library Collections, Winterthur Museum, Gardens and Library, was organized by Cynthia Ball and attracted 22 participants from Western Canada and the Western U.S. The workshop discussed the history, preservation and treatment of all formats of architectural drawings, from paper to plastics and from hand-drawn to photo-reproduction processes. The various formats for architectural drawings were illustrated with memorable examples from the collections of the Canadian Architectural Archives. ARG! gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Canadian Association for Conservation of Cultural Property/Association canadienne pour la conservation et la restauration des biens culturels and Museums Alberta. ARG! thanks Linda Fraser and the Canadian Architectural Archives for hosting the workshop.
  
  

• November: "What is the Worst Museum Pest? Is it the one you have...or, Is it the one you haven't found"?
  Tom Strang from CCI conducted a two day workshop on Integrated Pest Management, organized by the University of Alberta Museums and Collections Services. The risk of infestation is always present. 80% of pest control is sanitation (good housekeeping), regular monitoring and insect trapping. Heating up, cooling down or cutting off the air supply were the three methods of pest eradication that were discussed in detail. Nine ARG! members joined university staff to take part in the workshop. Tom Strang provided an excellent, comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art museum pest research.
  
  CONFERENCES

• May: CAC Winnipeg Conference
  Seen here are The Alberta Champion Bingo Bowlers Gaby, Audrey, Irene and, completing the team, Sandy Easterbrook, who has been hired as the new paintings conservator at The Glenbow Museum.
  

• Irene Karsten presented her research on"Silk and Polyester Backing Fabrics for Adhesive Treatments for Brittle Silk: Do Their Properties Determine Those of the Treated Artifact?"
  
  

• Flora Davidson gave a talk on "The Development of Conservation and Collection Policies for a Pharmaceuticals Collection" at the Conference Workshop. The paper presented work undertaken at the PMA with MargotBrunn in re-organizing, updating catalogue information and establishing safe storage and handling proceedures for a collection of pharmaceuticals. The project was funded through a Hannah Institute of Medical History internship grant.
  

  Illu.: Museum collections of historic pharmaceuticals may contain examples of toxic or controlled substances. These must be stored (e.g., in limited amounts, locked and secure) according to the Controlled Substances Act. References such as The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals have to be consulted for this type of cataloguing information.

• October: Museums Alberta Conference
  ARG! members participated in a scheduled conservation session which was organized by Cynthia Ball. Presentations were given by Flora Davidson on curating pharmaceutical collections, by James Engelbert on recent community based Historic Sites projects and by Rory Cory on Glenbow Museum pest control.
  
  The ARG! table at the Conference Trade Fair was set up with poster and photo displays. Thanks to Flora, Joanne, Cynthia and James who staffed the table and were ready to provide in-situ conservation information.
  
  MEETINGS

• January: ARG! Meeting in Edmonton

  Thanks to Audrey for hosting a pot-luck. On the agenda were: difficulties of obtaining conservation supplies and the establishment of a product sharing resource; the Emergency Response Newsletter and Museums Alberta citation courses prompted by a year of infestations and floods.

• April: ARG! Meeting in Edmonton
  The meeting was held at the UofA Human Ecology Department to tour the new Textile Conservation Service lab. New features of the lab include modular and glass tables and the extra large fumehood for drycleaning, in a beautiful, bright and clean space (with windows!), functional and large enough even for tapestries. Thanks to Shirley for hosting the event. Other items on the agenda: Discussion on the draft of the revised Code of Ethics. especially the implications of additions such as the insurance component, made for a useful discussion. It was suggested that the Code committee explore the options such as coverage through CMA's existing policy.
  
  

• July: ARG! Meeting in Calgary
  A social get-together and dinner was organized by Cynthia Ballduring the Architectural Drawings workshop.
  
  

• October: ARG!-SIG Meeting in Jasper
  The SIG meeting was held at the Jasper Museum from 9 am to 11:30 am. Organized, with refreshments by Cynthia Ball Thanks, Cynthia! Topics for discussion were: Training workshops and conference participation in 2000. Audrey Yardley-Jones reported on her participation in the Association of Manitoba Museums' Pre-Conference Workshop. Sponsored and organized by the Museum Advisory and Training Service of the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature, the workshop focussed on emergency preparedness and response initiatives in Alberta. A panel discussed common needs and challenges in Alberta and Manitoba. The sharing of ideas and perspectives throughout the workshop was invaluable and, hopefully, will continue.
  
  

  RECOGNITION and AWARDS

• March: Ksenia Kopystynska's creative talent and bookbinding skills are displayed in an exhibit at the Alberta Crafts Council. It features her own, as well as combined works of inlaid bindings, clasps and decorative bosses, with jeweller Rosa Grabowska.

• June: Ewa Smithwick retires from the Glenbow
  Ewa has been associated with The Glenbow Museum for over 30 years. As a pioneer ing conservator at Glenbow, Ewa was responsible for the setting up of the facilities and the equipment for the paintings conservation lab. Eva has shared her passion for the art and artists that she has worked with and studied, and The Glenbow Museum and many of us have benefited from this passion and her scholarly dedication. No doubt, Ewa will continue to be an important source for conservation advice in the province. The Alberta conservators wish her all the best on her retirement. Tribute by Heather Dumka
  

• Conservation Awards
  Andrea Bowes and Dennis Hyduk were nominated by staff of the Provincial Archives of Alberta for a Team Recognition Award. Andrea, as conservation contractor, and Dennis as team leader for the Archives Technical Services, were recognized for their "commitment to preservation and conservation of Alberta's documentary heritage by identifying some of the most critical preservation issues at the Provincial Archives of Alberta. They have worked to encourage all staff and volunteers to take the extra steps needed to ensure the long term preservation of Alberta's documentary heritage. They have also shared information, their expertise and their knowledge by training staff and volunteers in the proper care and handling of archival records. Preservation and conservation is absolutely critical to what we do at the Provincial Archives and we applaud our conservation team". The award was presented to Andrea and Dennis by the new Minister of Community Development, Hon. Stan Woloshyn.
  
  

• Margot Brunn was presented with an Outstanding Service Award for her volunteer work with Museums Alberta at the Jasper conference.
  
  MEMBERS' NEWS

• Philmsearch has closed
  Effective September 30, Philmsearch has closed its doors as museum consultant and as museum and archives supplier. All the best, Philippe, in your new career.
  
  

• Congratulations
  Andrea Bowes is enjoying a 6 months maternity leave from private practice after the birth of her daughter Bronwyn Elyse Neufeld, September 5.
  
  

• Welcome to New Members
  Clare J. Toth has returned to Edmonton after obtaining her Diploma in Collections Conservation and Management from Sir Sandford Fleming College in Peterborough, Ontario.
  
  Belinda Fireman is a Queens graduate now residing in Calgary. She has stepped in for Robin Douglas as paper conservator at the Glenbow Museum.

  Juliet Graham is a paper conservator newly transplanted to Lethbridge. Juliet recently worked on contract doing both research and treatment at the National Archives of Canada, CCI, the Library of Parliament, Parks Canada, as well as for private conservators Wanda McWilliams and Anita Henry.
  
  Dennis Hyduk from the Provincial Archives of Alberta. Dennis is the team leader of the newly established Technical Services Program which provides assistance to smaller archives, historical societies, museums, institutions and other groups in the province.
  
  Cindy Van Volsem is the collection manager for the Medicine Hat Museum.
  
  Gillian Noseworthy has relocated with her family from Vancouver to Edmonton. She has worked as an archaeological and ethnographic conservator for the Museum of Anthropology.