Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: Planning High Shelving in a Museum Store (Advice Needed) 2. RE: Position Announcement Assistant or Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings at Yale University Art Gallery 3. Upholstery Conservation Workshop - Request for Attendee Applications ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Diana Bencatel Posted: Friday May 23, 2025 2:12 PM Subject: RE: Planning High Shelving in a Museum Store (Advice Needed) Message: Hi everyone, I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for all the replies and advice I received following my post - I was genuinely moved by the generosity of colleagues from around the world who took time out of their day to help me with this question. I haven't managed to reply to everyone yet, but I will - please know how much I appreciate every single message. Youre all amazing, and it's truly a privilege and a source of pride to be part of this community. Wishing you all the very best, Diana Bencatel ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 5/21/2025 12:55:00 PM From: Sara Reiter Subject: RE: Planning High Shelving in a Museum Store (Advice Needed) Hi, we too have high storage, 12' (about 4 meters). The best thing we did when planning was to visit a company that made ladders. That allowed us to determine what step height, angle and platform size the collections assistants, curators and conservators felt comfortable and safe when moving objects. We agreed on a ladder that was only slightly steeper than a standard stairway, quite wide, with a large platform at the top. Good luck. Sara Reiter The Penny and Bob Fox Senior Conservator of Costumes and Textiles [email protected] <[email protected]> Philadelphia Museum of Art Conservation t 215-684-7577 PO Box 7646, Philadelphia, PA 19101-7646 philamuseum.org | @philamuseum ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 5/20/2025 5:42:00 AM From: Sarah Coggins Subject: RE: Planning High Shelving in a Museum Store (Advice Needed) Hello I've worked in places with objects stored at height, the top shelves were probably 2.5-3 metres high. We had roller ladders or safety ladders to access the top shelves rather than step ladders. These have a platform at the top and hand rails on both sides. You can use deep trays with two handles to put objects in pass to someone on the floor or carefully move down a step or two to pass them down. You might want to think about how deep your shelves are too as you won't want to or be able to reach too far. Also, it would be better if the objects are stored one objects deep so you don't have to move them around to access ones behind. Hope this helps Best ------------------------------ Sarah Coggins ACR Conservation Engineer Mary Rose Trust Southsea United Kingdom ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 05-19-2025 11:40 From: Diana Bencatel Subject: Planning High Shelving in a Museum Store (Advice Needed) Hi everyone! I work at a car museum, and we're currently preparing a new storage area to bring together all the objects that are currently spread across different spaces. The storage space has a ceiling height of just over 4 meters. Our initial idea was to make full use of the height by installing shelving units up to 4 meters tall. We planned to store the larger items (such as engines, repair equipment, and signage - up to 1.80 m tall) on the floor, and place smaller items on the upper shelves. At first, we thought we'd use a forklift to access the higher shelves, but we later realized the forks only reach about 3 meters. So now we're considering storing lighter objects (like typewriters and trophies) on the higher shelves and accessing them with a stepladder instead. This raised another question: what is considered a safe maximum height to go up and down a stepladder while handling objects - even with someone assisting from the ground? Three meters is starting to seem quite high. Does it even make sense to have shelving that reaches 4 meters? We will also have some smaller shelving units in this space to store our archive. For these, is there a recommended maximum height for the top shelf? Would 2.70 meters be too high to access safely with a stepladder? If you have any experience that might be helpful in this situation, I'd really appreciate your input! Feel free to reply here or email me at [email protected] <[email protected]>. Many thanks! Diana Bencatel 2.From: Elizabeth Hammerberg Posted: Friday May 23, 2025 2:15 PM Subject: RE: Position Announcement Assistant or Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings at Yale University Art Gallery Message: Hello, The application deadline for this role has been extended to June 27, 2025. To apply, please go to Yale University STARS https://your.yale.edu/yale-link/stars-external-applicants <https://your.yale.edu/yale-link/stars-external-applicants> job Requisition # 94287BR ------------------------------ Elizabeth Hammerberg Conservation Coordinator Yale University Art Gallery New Haven United States ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 04-22-2025 11:45 From: Elizabeth Hammerberg Subject: Position Announcement Assistant or Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings at Yale University Art Gallery Job Posting Title: Assistant or Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings Yale University Art Gallery, Conservation Department Conservator 3 (23) Founded in 1832, the Yale University Art Gallery is the oldest college art museum in America. Today, it serves Yale University, the wider community, and the public as a center of teaching, learning, and scholarship. The Conservation Department is an integral part of this mission, with specialists actively engaged in the treatment of paintings, objects, furniture, prints, drawings, photographs, and other media, along with related research, teaching, and mentorship. The Gallery is pleased to announce an opening for a full-time, two-year Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings. The museum's Department of Asian Art, which continues to grow through gifts and acquisitions, currently holds nearly 2,000 examples of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese painting and calligraphy. This collection, which ranges in date from the 12th to the 20th century, represents all the major East Asian formats: hanging scrolls, hand scrolls, album leaves, fans, and screens. Reporting to the Susan Morse Hilles Chief Conservator, the assistant/associate conservator will carry out a condition assessment and survey of the Gallery's East Asian paintings and, in collaboration with the curators, will establish clear conservation priorities for this collection area. The Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will care for the Gallery's holdings of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese paintings through a combination of preventive and interventive measures, in alignment with the museum's operating plan and maintaining written and photographic records of all treatments. In consultation with the chief conservator, the incumbent will oversee all activities involved with the conservation of East Asian painting formats, including scientific analysis to inform appropriate treatment solutions. The Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will advance the general care of the collection. They will manage their personal workflow to meet established deadlines and will work collaboratively with conservation colleagues. They will participate in the planning and preparation of budgets for lab activities, exhibitions, and other projects. The incumbent will help maintain the Shared Conservation Lab at the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH), Yale West Campus, selecting appropriate supplies and observing health and safety standards for all. They will ensure that the studio's practice remains aligned with current professional standards. In collaboration with curators, the Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will advise on the condition of proposed loans and acquisitions and will determine the most appropriate mounts for East Asian scrolls and screens; when appropriate, the incumbent will travel to Asia to purchase mounting silks and other supplies used in the treatment of such paintings. The Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will maintain working relations with affiliated organizations and institutions nationally and internationally. They will partner with all departments at the Gallery to ensure the highest standards of collections care; will advise staff on best practices for the care, handling, display, storage, packing, and shipping of East Asian paintings; will travel for relevant research and comparative study to inform treatments; and will assist in the maintenance of the collections-management database. Collaborating with conservation scientists at IPCH, the assistant/associate conservator will undertake analytical study of collection objects to support treatments and related research. They will stay up to date on conservation practices, fostering the department's intellectual and technical growth. The incumbent will promote knowledge of the collection and will assist in the department's outreach activities through public speaking and publishing to disseminate information in the field of conservation. In addition to mentoring students, interns, and fellows, the Assistant/Associate Conservator of East Asian Paintings will have the opportunity to lead undergraduate and graduate courses on materials and techniques and the technical examination of art. The full-time position, and the salary will range from $66,000 to $75,000 per year, depending on the selected candidate's qualifications. Essential Duties *Principal Responsibilities: **THIS IS PROVIDED BY HR** 1. Designs and manages conservation laboratory; establishes and schedules priorities for the treatment and preservation of East Asian paintings; plans, researches, and implements conservation treatments, including very complex treatments on cultural property. 2. Examines the material composition and deterioration of objects to develop and execute appropriate conservation treatments. 3. Identifies and diagnoses problems; devises and approves conservation methods that ensure the safety of the objects; assesses and devises alternative and/or modifies conservation methods to achieve desired results. 4. Creates accurate written and photographic documentation for conservation examinations and treatments and other activities. 5. Reports on conservation and technical research and on significant treatments through publications and conference papers. 6. Performs research necessary to preserve the authenticity of collections and to monitor and control deterioration of the collections. 7. Assesses conservation needs for East Asian paintings, including proper housing, physical storage, and display areas for collections, and ascertains correct environmental control for preservation purposes. 8. Assists in determining conservation priorities for collections and/or individual projects and planning strategies for collection care. 9. Advises on the acquisition, loan, and exhibition of East Asian works and couriers objects. 10. Oversees safe use and disposal of hazardous materials in accordance with current federal, state, and local regulations and policies. 11. Assists in teaching courses for undergraduate and graduate students. 12. Assists in the supervision of conservation interns and fellows. 13. Supervises a small staff of nonexempt employees and/or student assistants. 14. Other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Master's degree in Art, Museum, or Library/Archives Conservation, in Materials Science, or in a related field. Two years (assistant level) to five years (associate level) of conservation experience in East Asian paintings formats or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of Chinese and/or Japanese languages is preferred. Fundamental is the knowledge of both traditional and modern techniques for conserving Asian paintings. Preferred Education, Experience and Skills: Master's or postgraduate degree with a concentration on the conservation of East Asian paintings. Experience working in a museum environment and knowledge of museum conservation practice. Familiarity with preventive conservation methods and practices and with analytical equipment, such as spectrometers and X-ray fluorescence. Required Skill/Ability 1: Self-directed with the ability to take initiative and anticipate actions needed. Ability to conceive, implement, and document conservation treatment of the highest professional standard using fine hand skills and accuracy. Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to conduct original research, write, and communicate verbally for diverse audiences. Required Skill/Ability 2: Knowledge of conservation chemistry, art and material history, contemporary conservation practice, preventative conservation principles, and documentation procedures. Required Skill/Ability 3: Demonstrated accuracy and strong attention to detail. Superior organizational skills. Ability to work well under pressure. Required Skill/Ability 4: Ability to juggle multiple tasks and meet demanding deadlines among conflicting priorities. Positive attitude that supports department's goals. Required Skill/Ability 5: Ability to regularly exercise discretion and independent judgment and to be a team player in active office and laboratory environments. Superior hand skills. Required Skill/Ability 6: Ability to independently evaluate a wide variety of conservation problems and develop solutions. Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Adobe Photoshop. The deadline for job's application is until May 27, 2025. To apply, please go to Yale University STARS https://your.yale.edu/yale-link/stars-external-applicants <https://your.yale.edu/yale-link/stars-external-applicants> job Requisition # 94287BR ------------------------------ Elizabeth Hammerberg Conservation Coordinator Yale University Art Gallery New Haven United States ------------------------------ 3.From: Heather Hodge Posted: Friday May 23, 2025 4:36 PM Subject: Upholstery Conservation Workshop - Request for Attendee Applications Message: UPHOLSTERY CONSERVATION WORKSHOP Topic: 19th century upholstered furniture and earlier Participants: up to12 conservators Dates: Three days, Monday October 27th through Wednesday October 29th, 2025 Instructor: Heather Porter Location: Preservation Society of Newport County <https://www.newportmansions.org/> (PSNC), Newport, Rhode Island DESCRIPTION A three-day workshop providing basic upholstery conservation training to North American based conservators, instructed by Heather Porter following her Back-to-Basics Upholstery Course. <https://www.icon.org.uk/events/back-to-basics-upholstery-course.html> Takeaways for attendees: General upholstery structures, materials, and fabrication Most common upholstery condition issues and treatments Examination, disassembly, documentation of upholstery Building knowledge to comfortably communicate about upholstery with curators, conservators, commercial upholsterers Delegation of tasks to other conservation specialties (textiles, objects, etc.) Bibliography on upholstery and it's conservation CURRENT APPROXIMATE SCHEDULE Day One: Upholstery Attendees will learn about tools, materials, techniques, upholstery structures, and furniture types. It is designed to make people more knowledgeable and feel more comfortable identifying and describing upholstery. There will be a short practical session in the afternoon. Day Two: Conservation Attendees will learn how to examine and document upholstery. Typical condition issues and damages as well as the consideration for treatment and the range of treatment options will be discussed. There will be a short practical session in the afternoon. Day Three: Putting it into Practice Attendees will assess a range of upholstered pieces of furniture from the Preservation Society's collection and practice identifying materials and techniques, the evidence of earlier schemes, and discuss treatment scenarios. There will be a Q&A session, where attendees can bring questions about upholstery in their collections/care, and we will brainstorm about them together. The afternoon is reserved for touring the Preservation Society's houses for a look at furniture in situ with Heather as our guide. INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY Heather Porter is currently a freelance upholstery conservator based in South London working for private clients and institutions in the UK and abroad. She graduated in 2001 with an MA in Upholstery Conservation from the Royal College of Art/Victoria & Albert Museum in London and has held positions in the UK and US: at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Lyndhurst; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; the Victoria & Albert Museum, London; and the National Trust, Knole Conservation Studio. In between, Heather spent 5 years in the upholstery trade. She has conducted historical research, advanced in situ cleaning techniques and published on subjects including: the development of upholstery springs, the use of carbon fiber and collaborations with furniture conservators to execute designs for non-traditional upholstery, and discussions around considerations for upholstery on open display. Since 2014 Heather has taught the ICON Back-to-Basics Upholstery course and she has extensive experience presenting upholstery conservation to specialist and non-specialist audiences. ABOUT PSNC The Preservation Society of Newport County is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, preserve, and present an exceptional collection of house museums and landscapes in one of the most historically intact cities in America. We hold in public trust the Newport Mansions which are an integral part of the living fabric of Newport, Rhode Island. These sites exemplify three centuries of the finest achievements in American architecture, decorative arts, and landscape design spanning the colonial era to the Gilded Age. REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS Applicants are requested to submit a brief statement on the applicability of the course to their work, and a CV listing their relevant education and employment background. ***Please e-mail your application to [email protected] <[email protected]> and enter "Upholstery Workshop" in the subject line.*** SUBMISSION DEADLINE: June 15, 2025. Applications will be reviewed, and notification will be approximately 4 weeks after the deadline. WORKSHOP COST: $225.00 TRAVEL AND HOUSING: Participants are responsible for their own travel and housing arrangements. Recommendations for accommodation will be included with acceptance notification. Coffee breaks with snacks and lunches will be provided each day. *Many thanks to the AIC Textile and Wooden Artifacts Specialty Groups for helping to sponsor this workshop* ------------------------------ Heather Hodge Textile Conservator Preservation Society of Newport County ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
