Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup.
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1. "Vanished: An Unnatural History of Extinction" lecture in Cambridge by
Sadiah Qureshi, 6pm 9 July
2. GREENART Workshop, Houston – Link Now Working | Deadline Extended to July 15
3. RE: Important AIC and FAIC Updates
4. RE: GREENART Workshop, Houston – In-Person Deadline Extended to July 15
5. RE: AATA Summer 2025 Update
6. Read Scroll Vol. 4 Now!
7. CALLS TO ACTION: call your Rep to stop the Budget Bill today! Connect with
community this civic holiday, support AIC & cultural heritage
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1.From: Jim Secord
Posted: Thursday July 3, 2025 8:21 AM
Subject: "Vanished: An Unnatural History of Extinction" lecture in Cambridge
by Sadiah Qureshi, 6pm 9 July
Message:
Vanished: An Unnatural History of Extinction lecture by Sadiah
Qureshi
6pm - 7.15pm, Wednesday 9 July 2025, Babbage Lecture Theatre, David
Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street Cambridge CB2 3QZ
Join us for a lecture by Prof Sadiah Qureshi on her new book, Vanished,
with an introduction by Helen MacDonald at the Babbage Lecture Theatre
in Cambridge!
Why do some lives and histories disappear from view - and who decides
what is remembered? In this keynote lecture, historian Sadiah Qureshi
shares insights from her acclaimed new book Vanished, which explores
how empire, race, and power shaped what the past was allowed to keep -
and what it chose to forget. Drawing on stories of lost people, places,
and knowledge, Vanished asks urgent questions about memory, erasure,
and the making of history. The lecture will be introduced by Helen
Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk, and followed by a discussion
led by Sarah Qidwai.
This event is free and open to the public, and is organized by the
British Society for the History of Science and the Department of
History and Philosophy of Science. Sign up at Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vanished-an-unnatural-history-of-extinction-by-sadiah-qureshi-tickets-1395979053929?aff=eivtefrnd&utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing
<https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vanished-an-unnatural-history-of-extinction-by-sadiah-qureshi-tickets-1395979053929?aff=eivtefrnd&utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing>
For an interview with Sadiah about the book, see
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/ju/11/historian-sadiah-qureshi-extinction-empire-colonialism
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/ju/11/historian-sadiah-qureshi-extinction-empire-colonialism>
2.From: Soraya Alcala
Posted: Thursday July 3, 2025 8:22 AM
Subject: GREENART Workshop, Houston – Link Now Working | Deadline Extended to
July 15
Message: Dear all,
We apologize for the inconvenience in our previous message - the application
link was not working correctly. We are happy to inform you that the issue has
been resolved, and the link is now fully functional.
The in-person application deadline for the GREENART Workshop in Houston has
been extended to July 15, 2025!
Event Dates: November 10–14, 2025
Format: In-person & online options
The Use of Colloids and Soft Matter in Art Conservation
Workshop I (Nov 10–11): Gels & Nanofluids in Conservation
Workshop II (Nov 12–14): GREENART Project Innovations
(Workshop I or equivalent required)
Click here for full details and to apply <https://greenart-mfah.square.site/>
Online participation remains open - applications will be accepted until the day
before the event.
We hope to see you there!
The GREENART Team
------------------------------
Soraya Alcalá
Conservator, Paintings/ Head of Lab
Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation
MFAH | The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
P.O. Box 6826
Houston, TX 77265
Tel: +1 (713) 639-7732 | [email protected]
------------------------------
3.From: Valerie Tomlinson
Posted: Thursday July 3, 2025 10:09 AM
Subject: RE: Important AIC and FAIC Updates
Message: With all the financial uncertainty and attacks against institutional
archives and heritage going on in the US at present, is it time for the
international community to step up and take more of a role in the Global
Conservation forum? Are there ways that we, out in the rest of the world, can
help the AIC and government funded heritage institutions by sharing a load?
Valerie Tomlinson
Conservator
------------------------------
Valerie Tomlinson
Conservator of Modern and Contemporary Art
Art Gallery of Ontario
Toronto
Canada
------------------------------
-------------------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2025 15:37
From: Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe
Subject: Important AIC and FAIC Updates
Dear Global Conservation Forum Community: With empathy and transparency, I
share that we will be making a major operational restructuring that affects
both AIC and FAIC. This decision comes in response to ongoing structural
deficits in AIC's budgets over the past several years, and the loss of 75% of
FAIC's budget due to the elimination of key federal grants. In order to remain
sustainable and continue providing essential member services, AIC and FAIC
staff shall shift to a team-based operational model designed to foster greater
collaboration and improve efficiency.As part of this transition-- and with deep
regret, two staff positions are being eliminated effective Tuesday, July 1:
AIC's Meetings and Advocacy Director and FAIC's Development Manager. These cuts
are painful and are not a reflection of the performance or professionalism of
those impacted.Ruth Seyler and Anna-Claire McGrath have each made significant
and lasting contributions to both AIC and FAIC. Ruth's two decades of
service have been foundational to our Annual Meetings and advocacy efforts,
and her deep knowledge of the field is outstanding. Over the past two years,
Anna-Claire has skillfully adapted to shifting priorities, advancing our
development efforts during a time of great complexity. We're grateful to Ruth
and Anna-Claire for leaving us in such a strong position for the work ahead.
Planning for the 2026 Annual Meeting in Montreal, and fundraising efforts
remains on track, thanks to their thoughtful work. They will be deeply missed,
both professionally and personally. They are valued colleagues, and I hope you
will join me in thanking them both for their exemplary service to our
organizations and to the field.I recognize this news comes on the heels of a
highly successful Annual Meeting-- made possible by the extraordinary efforts
of our staff and community. While the timing may feel difficult, this
restructuring is necessary to remain fiscally viable and to continue supporting
AIC
members and the conservation field.This decision is driven entirely by
financial necessity and the realities of our current operating environment. It
is part of a larger shift toward a more efficiently focused, team-based
operational structure consolidating across both AIC and FAIC. To better
leverage staff skills and reduce duplication of effort, I am working with our
staff to form new cross-functional project groups. These teams will manage key
areas of work, including Annual Meeting planning (program content, attendee
support, logistics, sponsorship and exhibitor engagement, and registration), as
well as development, financial planning, and professional development.We remain
committed to serving the field with the continuing dedication and integrity
that defines our missions, visions, and values. AIC and FAIC staff and boards
will be meeting throughout this month and August to finalize these plans and
ensure a smooth transition to our new team-based operational model across both
organizations. As you know, we provide the Global Conservation Forum free and
if you are able to help support us
<https://members.culturalheritage.org/fundraising/give> we would be most
appreciative.Thanks for your support and understanding,
------------------------------
Lissa Rosenthal-Yoffe
Executive Director
American Institute for Conservation and Foundation for Advancement in
Conservation
Washington, DC
------------------------------
4.From: Alessandra Guarascio
Posted: Thursday July 3, 2025 10:09 AM
Subject: RE: GREENART Workshop, Houston – In-Person Deadline Extended to July
15
Message: sorry to inform you there is no link to follow. Alessandra E-mail
Disclaimer: This e-mail and any attachment to it is issued by the West Kowloon
Cultural District Authority (WKCDA), and is confidential, intended for the
recipient (s) only and shall not be copied or disclosed without WKCDA's prior
approval; it should be handled with care, kept confidential and not be used for
any purpose unconnected with the WKCDA. If this e-mail has been sent to you by
mistake, please inform us immediately by reply e-mail and then delete the
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any liability for any loss or damage that may arise from the receipt or use of
any e-mail from us.
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Original Message:
Sent: 7/1/2025 10:57:00 PM
From: Soraya Alcala
Subject: GREENART Workshop, Houston – In-Person Deadline Extended to July 15
Dear all,
The in-person application deadline for the GREENART Workshops has been extended
to July 15, 2025!
Online participation remains open - apply until the day before the event.
November 10–14, 2025
The Use of Colloids and Soft Matter in Art Conservation
In-person & online options
Workshop I (Nov 10–11): Gels & Nanofluids in Conservation
Workshop II (Nov 12–14): GREENART Project Innovations (Workshop I or equivalent
required)
Click here for full details and to apply
We hope to see you there!
------------------------------
Soraya Alcalá
Conservator, Paintings/ Head of Lab
Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation
MFAH | The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
P.O. Box 6826
Houston, TX 77265
Tel: +1 (713) 639-7732 | [email protected]
------------------------------
5.From: Martha Singer
Posted: Thursday July 3, 2025 1:48 PM
Subject: RE: AATA Summer 2025 Update
Message:
Lynda:
Thank you so much for all this important work as AATA is a necessary tool for
research. Knowing the workflow and some background is also useful. I will
email you offline about some other AIC publications.
Many, many thanks, Martha
------------------------------
Martha Singer
Chief Conservator
Material Whisperer
West Orange
United States
------------------------------
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-02-2025 13:30
From: Lynda Bunting
Subject: AATA Summer 2025 Update
Hi Martha,
Regarding CAN, all three issues have been input into the database, but only the
first two have been published. No. 3 will be published in either the fall or
winter update.
Our process is to identify and save the literature; send out articles for
abstracting if they have no abstracts; input records into the database based on
priorities; copy edit the abstracts; send them to AATA's field editors as a
final check; then publish. Indexing usually happens much later, but we're
working on improving that. It's a rather lengthy process to ensure quality
control, and we only have a permanent staff of three.
All AIC publications and proceedings have a high priority, and most have
abstracts, which makes our job easier. I also check this forum every day to see
if there are any new publications that should be included in AATA.
Additionally, we welcome submissions. A brief email to me or [email protected]
<[email protected]> with a link to the publication is welcome.
Best wishes,
Lynda
------------------------------
Lynda Bunting
Managing Editor, AATA Online
Getty Conservation Institute
Los Angeles CA
[email protected] <[email protected]>
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 07-02-2025 08:57
From: Martha Singer
Subject: AATA Summer 2025 Update
Hi Linda:
I am curious, as former editor of the Contemporary Art Review, the publication
of CAN, if AATA automatically uploads the articles from the specialty group
publications of AIC. And, if you do not, what needs to happen so that those
articles can be found in AATA?
Many thanks, Martha
------------------------------
Martha Singer
Chief Conservator
Material Whisperer
West Orange
United States
Original Message:
Sent: 07-01-2025 18:11
From: Lynda Bunting
Subject: AATA Summer 2025 Update
The AATA <https://aata.getty.edu/primo-explore/search?vid=AATA> summer update
includes abstracts on the conservation of modern oil paintings, detached
frescoes, glass mosaics, contemporary architecture, and metals; analyses from
exhibition catalogs; and from AIC postprints. Take a look!
------------------------------
Lynda Bunting
Managing Editor, AATA Online
Getty Conservation Institute
Los Angeles CA
[email protected] <[email protected]>
------------------------------
6.From: Jessica Chandy
Posted: Thursday July 3, 2025 1:49 PM
Subject: Read Scroll Vol. 4 Now!
Message:
Read Scroll Vol. 4 Now!
Scroll is a journal supported by the Student Conservators at Melbourne (SC@M).
It is a platform for students and emerging heritage professionals to talk about
cultural materials, its study and preservation.
The editors invite members of the Global Conservation Forum to download Scroll
Vol. 4 <https://www.studentconservators.com/scroll>, which features eleven
submissions that are informative and thought-provoking, as follows:
Annie Llewellyn & Gabriel Nodea, 'Hand eye ear coordination'.
Aslı Günel, 'Acknowledging and owning conservators' creative labour: Why should
the profession care?'.
Alison Moule, 'Quilt quandary: Considering the conservation impacts of
upcycling antique quilts in contemporary fashion'.
Siân Blake, 'You can't mark there! Identifying and conserving historic graffiti
at the St Neots Museum'.
Yori Akbar Setiyawan, 'Conserving the past, conserving the present:
Conservation of lontar (palm-leaf) manuscripts in Bali, Indonesia'.
Jonathan van Toor, 'Performing culture better: The conservation student's
cookbook'.
Rebecca Taldo & Dr Anna Piccirillo, 'A medieval medical manuscript from the
15th century: Codicological research and diagnostic campaign on a Western
Gothic binding'.
Alexis Drapanas, 'The collapse of objective conservation: Societal influence on
the treatment of paintings'.
Taryn Ryan, 'Investigating accessible textile fibre identification: A
flowchart'.
Supansa Thongsuk, 'Yellow Hue Memory of Grimwade Centre'.
Debbi Min, 'Total obliteration: A report on the destruction of heritage
monuments, sites, and artifacts in Gaza'.
Please use the following link to access the publication:
https://www.studentconservators.com/scroll
<https://www.studentconservators.com/scroll>
For any queries, contact the Scroll Editorial Team at:
[email protected] <[email protected]>
------------------------------
Jess Chandy
Student
Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation
The University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC
------------------------------
7.From: Katherine Langdon
Posted: Thursday July 3, 2025 4:24 PM
Subject: CALLS TO ACTION: call your Rep to stop the Budget Bill today! Connect
with community this civic holiday, support AIC & cultural heritage
Message: Please consider adding an advocacy activity to your Independence Day
weekend! Advocacy is a critical part of maintaining a thriving democracy.
Empower yourself and others to support the future of cultural heritage
preservation and your community by taking action today.
Help stop the "One Big Beautiful Bill", July 3
The U.S. House is set for an imminent vote on the Republican administration's
domestic policy and budget bill, which will have a sweeping impact on the
cultural heritage sector (including the shuttering of IMLS
<https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/institute-of-museum-and-library-services-faces-defunding-2026-1234744123/>)
and many aspects of human rights in the United States. Make your voice heard
on this issue TODAY by calling your local U.S. Representative, especially if
they are a Republican. You can use the 5 Calls website for a suggested script
<https://5calls.org/issue/hr1-one-big-beautiful-bill-act-budget-reconciliation/>
and easy look-up of your Rep's contact information.
Advocacy can come in many forms, and it's important to find one that works best
for you! Whether you live in the United States or elsewhere, here are some ways
that you can get involved:
Reach Out To Your Representatives
Your voice always matters. Take a few minutes to call or email your local
representative about issues that are important to you.
The 5 Calls website <https://5calls.org/> offers up-to-date information on
imminent issues, contact information for your representatives, and helpful
templates. Add your own unique experiences and words to these templates to make
them more impactful!
You can also find scripts and templates from some of our prominent professional
associations; links below.
Connect With Your Community
No matter where you live, you can create a positive impact through connection
with your community.
Volunteer at a local institution.
Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues to see what projects they may need
help supporting.
Explore ways your specific gifts and talents can be used to uplift your
community.
Learn More About Supporting Cultural Heritage
Continue to advocate for a government that represents our diverse society and
actively supports and invests in the preservation and accessibility of its
cultural heritage. Here are some links with more information on how you can get
involved:
AIC - Advocate for Conservation Information Page
<https://www.culturalheritage.org/about-conservation/advocate-for-conservation>
American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Advocacy Alerts Page
<https://www.aam-us.org/category/advocacy-alert/>
National Humanities Alliance <https://nhalliance.org/>
Americans for the Arts Advocacy Page
<https://www.americansforthearts.org/advocate>
National Council of Nonprofits Executive Order Tracking
<https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/files/media/documents/2025/chart-executive-orders.pdf>
~Posted on behalf of concerned citizens of AIC~
------------------------------
Katherine Langdon
Conservator
San Francisco
United States
------------------------------
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