Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Call for Papers on "Challenges in the Care and Preservation of Conservators" Session at 54th AIC Joint Meeting with CAC-ACCR in Montreal 2026 2. Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database 3. Structural glue repairs of bone in natural history objects 4. RE: Possible pollutions in new highly automated archive with low-oxygen atmosphere 5. Call for participation: questionnaire for my dissertation about solvents on leather 6. Online Event: Icon Textile Group AGM & Graduate Research Exchange 7. RE: Firecrackers on paper object 8. Call for Art on Paper Discussion Group Co-Chair 9. Registration Open: 8th Safety and Cultural Heritage Summit (in-person and virtual events) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Blair Bailey Posted: Thursday September 18, 2025 6:12 AM Subject: Call for Papers on "Challenges in the Care and Preservation of Conservators" Session at 54th AIC Joint Meeting with CAC-ACCR in Montreal 2026 Message: The Health & Safety Network invites abstracts for a general session focused on "Challenges in the Care and Preservation of Conservators" at the 54th American Institute for Conservation's Annual Meeting, jointly held with CAC-ACCR <https://www.cac-accr.ca/> in Montreal, Canada, April 28–May 2, 2026. Abstracts (≤500 words) are due September 30, 2025. Session Call for Papers Conservators have amazing skills in the care of cultural heritage. But how does this translate into the care of ourselves? Our physical and mental well-being are greatly impacted by our work. This impact manifests in different ways over our career. From trauma exposure, disaster response, pregnancy, depression, existing health conditions, and burnout, we feel our work in every part of our bodies. At any moment, these experiences can either exacerbate existing health conditions or turn into temporary or permanent disabilities. The variabilities in mental and physical disabilities are much like the variabilities in art - the possibilities are endless. The goal of this session is to foster discourse on the mental and physical challenges conservators face and give space to share our experiences. An introduction will provide a framework to ground the session by highlighting how widely encompassing disability and its challenges are, a commonly accepted definition of Ableism, an understanding of disability inclusion and how it relates to DEI, and the state of ever evolving legal protections. The session will conclude with a look at the ways we can go beyond just ergonomics by utilizing available tools, apps, flexible working styles, and occupational therapy to improve working conditions, as well as how mindfulness can be applied to better support our bodies and minds. The themes of this session will continue in a separate, collaborative luncheon with the Sustainability Committee on the many facets of mindful practice in coping with disability, guilt, trauma, burnout, and much more. The Health & Safety Network welcomes abstracts that focus on our stories centering around mental and physical health in conservation. Topics can range from the mental stress of graduate school and starting a career, working with visible and invisible disabilities, the impact of disaster salvage on heritage responders, and what we need to do to progress towards a more inclusive and supportive community. The organizers of this panel are permanently, either physically or neurologically, disabled and will openly discuss their personal disabilities during the session. We understand this is a sensitive topic and are happy to discuss with potential presenters how we can best represent their experiences comfortably and confidentially. Please feel free to reach out to co-session chairs Stephanie Black at [email protected] and Blair Bailey Schwartz at [email protected]. To be considered for this general session, please select "Challenges in the Care and Preservation of Conservators" as one of your preferred choices when submitting. For submission guidelines and to upload your abstract, visit the AIC Annual Meeting Call for Submissions <https://www.culturalheritage.org/events/annual-meeting/current-meeting/call-for-submissions> We hope you will consider sharing your experiences and look forward to your questions and submissions! ------------------------------ Blair Bailey Associate Paintings Conservator Worcester Art Museum Worcester MA ------------------------------ 2.From: Michele Derrick Posted: Thursday September 18, 2025 8:59 AM Subject: Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database Message: The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) is pleased to announce the release of the Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database, which culminates several years of research into the colorants used on Japanese woodblock (ukiyo-e) prints during the Edo period (1603-1868), utilizing the MFA's collections. The MFAs Asian Conservation Studio teamed with the MFAs Scientific Research Laboratory to survey colorants using non-invasive examination and analytical techniques, including photography, optical microscopy, fiber optics reflectance spectroscopy (FORS), excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectrophotometry (EEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy(XRF), and reflectance imaging spectroscopy (RIS). As part of CAMEO, the Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database is freely accessible to all users at Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database - CAMEO <https://cameo.mfa.org/wiki/Ukiyo-e_Print_Colorant_Database>. Our ukiyo-e colorant research is ongoing with additions and changes being made to the data. We welcome contributions and comments from other scholars. Michele Derrick Editor-in-chief, CAMEO (cameo.mfa.org <http://cameo.mfa.org>) Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 3.From: Nina Dijkstra Posted: Thursday September 18, 2025 10:59 AM Subject: Structural glue repairs of bone in natural history objects Message: For my study program Conservation and Restoration of cultural heritage at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) I am currently researching different gluing methods to structurally repair an antler that has broken off the skull of a taxidermy moose (the break is exclusively in the skull part around the antler, not the antler itself). At the moment I am surveying how similar repairs – i.e. structural glue repairs of bonenin mounted skeletons and taxidermy – have been done in the past. I was wondering if anyone has experience with, or knows of examples of this, and if they would be willing to share this with me. If so, I would love to get in touch through the email address listed below. ------------------------------ Nina Dijkstra Student University of Amsterdam Program in Conservation and Restoration Amsterdam Netherlands [email protected] ------------------------------ 4.From: Morten Ryhl-Svendsen Posted: Thursday September 18, 2025 10:59 AM Subject: RE: Possible pollutions in new highly automated archive with low-oxygen atmosphere Message: Dear Karin and Joachim, I have no experience with low-oxygen storage facilities; however, in Denmark, we have several low-energy buildings that are maintained with internal dehumidification only (no heating, no forced ventilation. Although these halls are not as high as in your project, they are still quite large, typically with a height of 6-10 m. To reduce the humidity load from the outdoors, these buildings are designed to be relatively airtight as well. Through tracer gas measurements, we have established that they have an air exchange rate in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 air changes per day. While these buildings are primarily constructed from concrete and not wood, there can still be a significant presence of wood in the rooms, either as museum objects (e.g., furniture) or, in some facilities, as wooden pallets used for shelving. We would expect this to result in a high concentration of organic acids (formic and acetic acid) in the air, but that is rarely the case. In fact, from several surveys across many Danish storage buildings, we rarely measure concentrations of organic acids above 40 ppb, and often they are below 20 ppb. My explanation for this is twofold: 1) temperature plays a crucial role, and 2) dehumidifiers may help purify the air. In an unheated building in Denmark, the indoor climate is cool for most of the year (with a typical average of about 12°C), which reduces the emission rate from materials. Additionally, several studies have demonstrated that the desiccant dryer in a sorption dehumidifier not only adsorbs water but also VOCs, thus unintentionally assisting in air purification. Finally, as Barry also mentioned, in your case, there will always be some overpressure, which helps flush air pollutants away. On the other hand, we sometimes observe rather high concentrations (100 ppb or more) on a room scale, even in buildings with a higher ventilation rate, if the storage is heated to comfort temperature, or if summer indoor temperature is high. Bottom line: the temperature of your storage environment is likely more decisive in determining the emission rate from the wood - and by this the concentration in air - than the ventilation rate. And if you also use sorption dehumidifiers to control the relative humidity, that may help too… Best wishes, Morten ------------------------------ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Morten Ryhl-Svendsen (he/him) Lektor, ph.d./Associate Professor, PhD Institute of Conservation Royal Danish Academy Architecture, Design, Conservation ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-15-2025 12:17 From: Barry Knight Subject: Possible pollutions in new highly automated archive with low-oxygen atmosphere Dear Karin, A reduced oxygen store of this kind needs to be constantly topped up with nitrogen in order to keep the oxygen concentration inside below 15%. There will always be a small amount of leakage however well the building is sealed; there should be a slight over-pressure to ensure that the leakage is mostly outwards. This means that pollutants should not accumulate inside the store. Best wishes, Barry ------------------------------ Barry Knight Conservation Scientist St Albans UK ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 09-12-2025 00:39 From: Karin von Lerber Subject: Possible pollutions in new highly automated archive with low-oxygen atmosphere A highly compact, automated high-bay storage facility over 20 metres high is currently being planned for a large state archive in Switzerland. Parts of the upper walls are to be constructed using timber (infill), and the interior will be equipped with a low-oxygen atmosphere as a fire protection measure. This measure means that there will be allmost no air exchange inside the storage facility. My question: are there any other archive, library or museum projects that have dealt with this Situation (pollutant emissions in high-bay warehouses with low-oxigen atmosphere, timber construction)? Does anyone have experience with the emission of building materials (in this case wood) or archive material in such a situation? Is there any knowledge of pollutant accumulation (top/bottom/corners of a room), or is the minimal leakage through the operation of an airlock sufficient to make the problem negligible? Thank you for all your answers and comments. ------------------------------ Karin von Lerber & Joachim Huber Co-Founders and Co-Directors Prevart Ltd. Winterthur Switzerland ------------------------------ 5.From: Isaline Chauvin Posted: Thursday September 18, 2025 11:00 AM Subject: Call for participation: questionnaire for my dissertation about solvents on leather Message: Hello everyone, My name is Isaline Chauvin and I'm a final-year master's student in book conservation-restoration at La Cambre (Brussels). As part of my dissertation on the impact of solvents on the visual and mechanical properties and degradation of leather, I'm carrying out a survey aimed at gaining a better understanding of the current practices of restorers regarding the use of solvents on antique leather. It is anonymous, takes around 15 minutes to complete, and is designed to gather your observations, preferences and feedback. Here is the link to the questionnaire: https://forms.gle/3Tp1MGTprKBbqyVY9 <https://forms.gle/3Tp1MGTprKBbqyVY9> I would be very grateful if you would agree to answer it. Please feel free to pass it on to any of your colleagues or contacts who might be interested. Thank you in advance for your valuable participation! Yours sincerely, Isaline Chauvin Master's student in Book Conservation-Restoration ENSAV La Cambre (Brussels) ------------------------------ Isaline Chauvin Student École nationale supérieure des Arts visuels de La Cambre Braine-l'Alleud Belgium ------------------------------ 6.From: Erinn Dunlea Posted: Thursday September 18, 2025 1:27 PM Subject: Online Event: Icon Textile Group AGM & Graduate Research Exchange Message: Join us online on Monday! Monday September 22nd, 3pm BST Free for Icon Members, £10 for non-members The ICON Textile Group will hold its Annual General Meeting online on this coming Monday 22nd September 2025. The session will feature a review of our year, student presentations as part of the Graduate Research Exchange, and the election of two new committee members. The Graduate Research Exchange aims to provide a platform for graduates to share their valuable research, and to connect students and graduates from various institutions with the wider community of people interested in the conservation of textiles. This year we are delighted to have five presentations from the MPhil Textile Conservation at the University of Glasgow and the MSc Conservation of Contemporary Art and Media at University College London. Details of the presentations are below. Link to book: https://www.icon.org.uk/events/textile-group-agm-graduate-research-exchange.html <https://www.icon.org.uk/events/textile-group-agm-graduate-research-exchange.html> We hope to see you online! Research Presentations Pleat Finishing: Investigating the Reshaping and Reinstatement of Distorted Narrow Knife Pleats Madeline Cline, University of Glasgow 2025 This dissertation investigates the means by which conservators may reshape or reinstate distorted silk narrow knife pleats. Reference to historic finishing and domestic textile manuals, as well as contemporary artisanal textile literature has helped to establish domestic pleat production processes and care protocols. Such information contextualises the historic reconstruction research undertaken to investigate domestic pleating procedures which are later adapted into experiments for reinstating distorted narrow knife pleats in accordance with professional standards of conservation. The experimentation and case study research establishes a textile conservation treatment protocol for reshaping and reinstating distorted and lost pleats in their original locations, without the need for deconstructing seams or losing any remaining original pleats. Any means of re-pleating aged silk carries a risk of splitting; however, the humidification technique established proves promising for reinstating pleats upon aged silks which have retained relative flexibility. These practical research findings are contextualised within the wider fashion conservation and restoration world through specialised interviews. Discussions with specialists about their own practice and case studies referenced within conservation literature help to identify alternative means by which conservators may treat distorted pleated forms. The identification of further treatment protocols for distorted pleats will provide conservators working with different priorities, values, and contexts a treatment protocol suitable for their own and their artefacts needs. Developing Strategies for the Conservation of Tights That Are Displayed Under Tension in Contemporary Art Practice Isobel Finlay, University College London, 2025 This dissertation research project has focused on knitted polyamide displayed under tension, using the work of Senga Nengudi and Madeleine Berkhemer as specific examples of this material being used in contemporary art practice. My research has covered the history and development of polyamide as a synthetic textile, the current knowledge around the ageing processes of knitted polyamide from the plastics industry, and the current conservation strategies and treatments employed when faced with damaged knitted polyamide in both contemporary art and textile conservation. Aer an extensive literature review including the plastics industry, sculpture and installation conservation, and textile conservation, I found little research into interventive treatments for knitted polyamide displayed under tension that did not include replacing damaged material or re-making damaged artworks. I also found that the artificial ageing experiments that have been conducted by the plastics industry use extreme environmental parameters and test materials to failure, which makes the results difficult to translate into a conservation specific context. I therefore designed and conducted two experiments: one natural ageing experiment where two pairs of tights were stretched on a wooden painting stretcher and left in a bright office window for 3 months, and one experiment testing different adhesives and support fabrics as fill treatments on sample tights with small losses. These samples were then tested with weights to evaluate the treatment's success under tension. This presentation will discuss the results of these experiments and the potential next steps towards developing an interventive treatment for knitted polyamide displayed under tension. Shady Business! Preserving Functionality of Three-Dimensional Textiles: A Methodology of Parasol Conservation. Victoria Gosling, University of Glasgow 2025 This presentation outlines the research carried out for my dissertation: methods for preserving the functionality of historic objects, focusing on conserving damaged silk parasol canopies to allow safe operation. The research addressed the limited amount of literature regarding parasol conservation, and other three-dimensional textile objects integrated with internal structures. The objective was to develop and evaluate a methodology for stabilizing splits in silk canopies so that parasols can be opened and closed without causing further damage. A variety of conservation treatments was assessed, including adhesives, stitching and combined approaches. Each method was evaluated for its effectiveness in mechanical function, aesthetic quality, and its ease of application, as well as reversibility. The findings demonstrate that carefully selected combinations of adhesives and supportive stitching can significantly improve structural stability while preserving the object's mechanical function and visual impact. This research contributes practical guidance for those working with similar composite textile objects and underpins the importance of developing interventive techniques that respect material integrity, object significance and intended purpose. By promoting treatment strategies that explore functionality alongside conservation, this research intends to encourage further study into techniques for treating operational textile objects, supporting continued interpretation and engagement by collections, researchers, and the public. Hold Fast: An Investigation into Washfastness Texting Methods in Textile Conservation Cat Rigby, University of Glasgow 2025 Washfastness testing is used to determine the behaviour of dyes during the wet cleaning processes in textile conservation. There are numerous approaches to washfastness testing in practice and described in the literature. However, no scientific research has previously been published on which method is the most reliable for informing wet cleaning decision making. Research would enable a beer understanding of the behaviour of dyes in water and wash solutions. In addition, few published sources provide detailed guidance on conducting testing. This research was executed in three stages: A literature review was employed to identify testing methods already used in practice and to highlight approaches with the potential to develop novel or beer substantiated methods. An online questionnaire was distributed to conservators to gain a deeper understanding of the practices and decision-making processes involved in method selection. Finally, an experimental phase assessed both established and new methods. The questionnaire indicated that most conservators continue to use methods learnt while in training, being satisfied that these produce accurate results to inform their decision making in wet cleaning. However, experimentation showed many established methods were ineffective in predicting dye behaviour during wet cleaning. A newly developed method, utilizing the gel Curdlan, proved promising for accuracy and ease of use. Delivering Organic Solvents in Agarose Gels: A preliminary investigation into the application of ethanol loaded rigid gels for use in textile conservation. Eleanor Simcoe, University of Glasgow 2025 This research was undertaken to investigate whether a simple method of creating gels with a high percentage of organic solvent could be applied to textile conservation practice. Developed for paper conservation, the method involves gradually loading water-based agarose gels with ethanol in order to improve compatibility with common low-polarity organic solvents which cannot otherwise be integrated into rigid gels. This method was explored through the context of removing pressure-sensitive tape (PST) residues from textile substrates with ethyl acetate, where other solvent application techniques may risk dye bleed, fibre damage and over-wetting. Comparative testing was carried out on linen and silk dupion samples soiled with artificially aged natural rubber PST residue, using gels prepared with the ethanol loading method, a speculative double-loading technique and a 'soak only' technique commonly used by textile conservators. Gels were assessed for solvent uptake with ATR-FTIR, shrinkage and cleaning efficacy with results indicating the ethanol loaded gels achieved superior residue removal, though storage time beyond two days reduced efficacy and seemed to increase moisture ringing. Recommendations are made for further study on the effects of gel concentrations, solvent choice and adaptation for different types of soiling. ------------------------------ Erinn Dunlea Textile Conservator Events Officer, Icon Textile Group Keep up with the group: https://www.icon.org.uk/groups-and-networks/textiles.html Instagram: @icontextilegroup ------------------------------ 7.From: D. Thor Minnick Posted: Thursday September 18, 2025 1:27 PM Subject: RE: Firecrackers on paper object Message: Hi Susan, Firecrackers of this size generally use KNO3, KClO4, or KClO3 as the oxidizers. Fuels may be Al, S, and charcoal. Interesting problem. I do not think you will be able to undo the crimped paper ends to "drain" out the mixture. Good luck. ------------------------------ D. Thor Minnick Conservator Minnick Associates Honolulu United States ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-12-2025 17:10 From: Susan Russick Subject: Firecrackers on paper object We have a c. 1973 Yoshio Nakajima pamphlet that has a small bunch of firecrackers adhered to the cover. I'm planning to remove as much powder as I can from the cylinders, but am wondering about other steps that might make it safer to store in a library collection. Any thoughts? Thanks, Susan ------------------------------ Susan Russick Chief Conservator Northwestern University Libraries ------------------------------ 8.From: Emma Hartman Posted: Thursday September 18, 2025 2:01 PM Subject: Call for Art on Paper Discussion Group Co-Chair Message: Call for New APDG Co-Chair The BPG Art on Paper Discussion Group (APDG) seeks a volunteer to serve for the 2025- 2026 Meeting. Together, the co-chairs will select a topic and collaborate to develop a program with invited speakers. The APDG provides a unique opportunity to highlight issues of interest to conservators of works of art on paper and to foster open discussion with colleagues. Primary responsibilities, shared between co-chairs, include: Developing the discussion topic Securing speakers Coordinating and moderating the 2-hour session Writing the session summary for the BPG Annual Contributing edits to the Book and Paper Wiki on the session topic Selecting an incoming APDG co-chair for the 2027 Annual Meeting Conservators at all career stages are encouraged to apply. For the full description of responsibilities and timeline, please contact Emma Hartman via a Member Community message or [email protected] <[email protected]>. To apply: Please send a brief statement of interest and your CV to [email protected] by October 3, 2025. ------------------------------ Emma Hartman Mary Jo & Ted Shen Assistant Conservator of Works on Paper Yale University Art Gallery New Haven, CT ------------------------------ 9.From: Basia Nosek Posted: Thursday September 18, 2025 3:09 PM Subject: Registration Open: 8th Safety and Cultural Heritage Summit (in-person and virtual events) Message: Co-presentations by IH/Safety and Conservation/Collection Care Professionals The Potomac Local Section of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the Washington Conservation Guild, the Smithsonian Institution's Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management and the Smithsonian National Collections Program will once again collaborate with the Lunder Conservation Center to host a Professional Development Seminar with the theme of Control of Health and Safety Hazards in Museums, Historic Sites, Conservation Treatment and Collection Care. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) G and 8th Streets, NW, Washington DC NEW! Collections Salvage Workshop - Thursday, November 6, 2025 (In-Person Only; Main Conference registration required) 10am-12pm ET, MacMillan Educational Center Main Conference Friday, November 7, 2025 9:00 am – 5:30 pm ET, McEvoy Auditorium Both In-Person and Virtual _________________________________________________________________________________________ Workshop (11/6): Ready to get up close and personal with archive, library, and museum stunt-double collection items? The Preparedness and Response In Collections Emergencies (PRICE) team <https://ncp.si.edu/PRICE> will introduce specific methods for handling collection items during normal operations and in emergencies. Information will also be shared by the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative <https://culturalrescue.si.edu/> on their Save Your Family Treasures program. Main Conference (11/7): Click here for the list of presentations. <https://www.potomacaiha.org/Summit-Abstracts> Presentations are also listed below. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Register for In-Person by October 22, 2025 – NO ON-SITE REGISTRATION Virtual Conference Registration by November 3, 2025 Please register at Summit Registration <https://www.potomacaiha.org/event-6127510> In-Person Conference only – $40 (Includes lunch and Art Gallery tour) In-Person Conference plus pre-Conference Workshop - $45 Virtual Conference – $20 Student/pre-program intern (student ID or internship letter required) $20 In-Person or Virtual Conference $25 In-Person Conference plus pre-Conference Workshop Questions? Email [email protected] <[email protected]> 2025 Safety and Cultural Heritage Summit Presentations Exposure Assessment and Controls Interpreting PCB regulatory language for artifacts on display Museum occupational exposure assessment study. The critical role of health and safety collaboration in hazardous collections surveys. Valentine's Day vandalism in the National Archives rotunda: A collaborative recovery effort. Mitigating mercury: Analyzing, documenting and stabilizing a collection of mercury tall clock pendulums. Germicidal Ultraviolet Disinfection of Public Spaces. Health/Safety/Sustainability Programs Developing a sharable guide based on experience in adapting established OEHS practices to a museum setting. Moving toward a balanced approach to the screening, interpretation, and reporting hazardous residues on the collections at NMAI. Applying systems thinking to the preservation of light sensitive materials. Paper trails & safety tales: Power BI for instant health & safety insights in book and paper conservation. Going Greener: A comparative inventory of greener products for the preservation site in the European legislative and research framework. Reducing energy while preserving experience and engagement. Statewide effort to improve safety for staff and collections (case studies from Ready or Not: Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Project. ------------------------------ Basia Nosek Paper Conservator Smithsonian American Art Museum Washington, DC ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. 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