Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Agora Excavations Conservation Summer Internships_2026 2. RE: Survey on Teaching and Learning Ethics in Conservation 3. 2026 AIC EMG Call for Papers 4. Survey Reminder - Yellow Stain Formation in Inkjet Prints - New deadline October 6th 5. RE: Possible pollutions in new highly automated archive with low-oxygen atmosphere 6. RE: Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database 7. RE: Firecrackers on paper object 8. RE: Firecrackers on paper object ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Maria Tziotziou Posted: Friday September 19, 2025 6:05 AM Subject: Agora Excavations Conservation Summer Internships_2026 Message: The Agora Excavations Conservation Laboratory of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens is offering two Archaeological Conservation Internships for the 2026 summer excavation season. The Conservation Laboratory functions as an integral part of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens' Agora Excavations. Its aim is to support the excavations by providing services that contribute to the study and understanding of the site. Interns will have an opportunity to treat freshly excavated archaeological finds and to participate in an active on-site conservation laboratory. Under the supervision and guidance of the Agora Conservation staff, interns will carry out general conservation duties including: examination and analysis of artifacts; documentation; cleaning; reconstruction; restoration; and photography of artifacts from the current excavation and from storage. In this way, interns will be able to work with a variety of materials including ceramics, stone, glass, copper alloys, iron, lead, bone and occasionally ivory and wood. An introduction to the re-treatment, preventive and long-term care of archaeological collections will also be provided. Applicants must currently be enrolled in a graduate or equivalent conservation program, or they must have recently completed their studies in conservation. Successful candidates are required to obtain their own medical insurance for the duration of their internship. Successful candidates are also responsible for their travel arrangements to and from Athens, Greece and for arranging their own accommodation. A modest expense allowance of 150 Euros per week, and a housing allowance consisting of the Euro equivalent of approximately $200 per week (up to $1600 for 8 weeks and upon submission of receipts – payments will be made in Euros depending on the currency rate) will be provided for each intern during their internship. Those persons who are already resident in their own accommodations in Athens are welcome to apply for the program and will receive the same expense allowance, although no refund for their housing is possible. Internships may vary in length from 6 to 8 weeks and are undertaken from early June to early August. Applicants should indicate in their application their approximate preferred dates within this time frame. To apply, submit an online application at the address below. Applications require two confidential letters of recommendation, which will be solicited through the application portal and must arrive by the deadline, 15 December 2025. For inquiries contact: Maria Tziotziou, Head of Conservation Email: [email protected] <[email protected]> Applicants can expect to receive notification before 1 March 2026. The online application form and more information can be found here: https://www.ascsa.edu.gr/programs/archaeological-conservation-summer-internships <https://www.ascsa.edu.gr/programs/archaeological-conservation-summer-internships> ------------------------------ Maria Tziotziou Head Conservator Agora Excavations, American School of Classical Studies at Athens Athens, Greece ------------------------------ 2.From: Nina Owczarek Posted: Friday September 19, 2025 6:05 AM Subject: RE: Survey on Teaching and Learning Ethics in Conservation Message: My apologies for a double last call, but thanks to an inquiry just now, I realized that my last message didn't thread in a way that included the original post with the survey link. For those of you who still want to participate, here's the link to the survey: delaware.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eX8BXqZo0nYrPYG <https://delaware.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eX8BXqZo0nYrPYG> I plan to close the survey over the weekend, so there's no time like the present to share your thoughts! And, for good measure, here's the body of my original post: Dear All, I am an objects conservator who teaches conservation at the University of Delaware. As part of my work, I am interested to learn about your experience teaching or learning about conservation ethics. To that end, I have developed a survey to find out how everyone approaches conservation ethics education. Adhering to an ethical approach to conservation is a core feature that separates professionals from the untrained repair person. A wide range of topics fall under this umbrella term that could include treatment choices and principles of minimal intervention, making significance assessments and determining various value perspectives, people-centered approaches to decision making, and more. As is true with most things related to conservation and collections care, there is more than one right way to do things, and this investigation hopes to reveal some of those ways of teaching ethics and to shed light on the various facets of conservation ethics that we value globally. Ultimately, the intention is to present and/or publish the results of this project to establish an understanding of how conservation ethics are taught in various educational settings and regions. This survey includes 7 demographic questions, and (depending on how you answer) about 15 multiple-choice questions, about 20 open-ended questions, and an invitation to participate further in an interview. The survey should take about 15 minutes. A note on language: This survey is written in English. However, if writing in a language other than English is easier or faster for you, please feel free to do so in the open-ended text areas. In the first text area that you use your preferred language, it would be helpful to me if you start with a note stating what language you will be using. For specialty words or phrases unique to conservation, it would also be appreciated if you know the English terms to include them. The survey is restricted to participants 18 years old or older. To participate in the survey, please click here: https://delaware.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eX8BXqZo0nYrPYG <https://delaware.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eX8BXqZo0nYrPYG> To participate in an interview without taking the survey, please email me: [email protected] <[email protected]> Many thanks for your participation and please feel free to share this survey with others! Warmly, Nina ------------------------------ Nina Owczarek Assistant Professor University of Delaware Art Conservation Department ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-17-2025 16:02 From: Nina Owczarek Subject: Survey on Teaching and Learning Ethics in Conservation Last call! I appreciate all the responses that you have shared and all the conversations that I have been having (and will continue to have)! Ethics in conservation applies to all of us, and when and how we learn and teach ethics informs our practice. I'd love to learn what *you think if you haven't had the chance to share yet. There are plenty of open-ended questions for your experiences and ideas. I'll close the survey over the weekend, so if you haven't participated yet, but would like to, now is your chance!! Warmly, Nina ------------------------------ Nina Owczarek Assistant Professor University of Delaware Art Conservation Department ------------------------------ 3.From: Elisse Brautigam Posted: Friday September 19, 2025 1:25 PM Subject: 2026 AIC EMG Call for Papers Message: 2026 EMG Call for Abstracts CONSERVATION AT THE INTERSECTION OF INNOVATION AND TRADITION The American Institute of Conservation (AIC) Electronic Media Group (EMG) is seeking papers for the 2026 annual meeting to be held in Montreal, April 28-May 2, 2026. We seek papers that explore the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation in the conservation of electronic media and time-based arts. As technological advancements continue to evolve, conservators are challenged to think outside the box-merging traditional treatment methods with innovative approaches to ensure the longevity and integrity of these complex artworks. Topics we are interested can include: Conservation of born-digital, software-based, light-based, and robotics artworks; Strategies for integrating traditional conservation techniques with new technologies Case studies illustrating innovative approaches to preserving electronic and time-based artworks Philosophical reflections on the balance between preserving the original intent and embracing technological change Collaborative conservation methods bridging artists, technologists, and conservators Challenges and solutions in conserving complex or unstable digital media Experimental and emerging methodologies for treatment and documentation Proposals related to electronic media/time-based media outside of these topics shall also be considered. Proposals should be no longer than 500 words with a separate 300-word author biography. Please submit <https://www.culturalheritage.org/events/annual-meeting/current-meeting/call-for-submissions> proposals by September 30th, 2025. For more information, please contact Elisse Brautigam (EMG Program Chair, [email protected] <[email protected]>) or Eddy Colloton (EMG Assistant Program Chair, [email protected]) with any questions. ------------------------------ Elisse Brautigam Kress Fellow Denver Art Museum New York United States ------------------------------ 4.From: Jordan Megyery Posted: Friday September 19, 2025 1:25 PM Subject: Survey Reminder - Yellow Stain Formation in Inkjet Prints - New deadline October 6th Message: Dear Colleagues, Yellow stain formation in inkjet papers is an increasingly observed phenomenon in works on paper collections. I am currently researching this issue, and your participation in a short survey would greatly help to assess the scope of the problem and how best to move forward with the research. This yellow stain formation is usually bright yellow in color and only affects the ink receiving layer of inkjet printed materials. It is different to the natural yellowing/ darkening of paper as it ages. For context, here is a link to a copy of the paper I presented on this topic in 2022: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fANH3-vsrTG5gxEXUoVrQO-oowX57yRm/view?usp=sharing <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fANH3-vsrTG5gxEXUoVrQO-oowX57yRm/view?usp=sharing> I would like to hear from anyone that is involved in the care/ stewardship of inkjet printed materials, no matter if they have witnessed yellow stain formation or not. A summary of the survey results will be posted on this forum and shared at future conferences and in related publications as the research progresses. Participants and institutions will remain anonymous in any published/ spoken summary of the survey, unless I have gained express permission to share these details. There is an option for you to share contact details within the survey form so that I may follow up with questions if necessary. The survey will close Monday 6th October. Here is the link: Microsoft Forms <https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=L8LPLONgUEWZ1bvPX148XWK3RusC7_BCtOcrnYIeAl1UNVdBMllKVTBOWFgwRUI0SzFLNFpXTTczTS4u> Office remove preview Microsoft Forms View this on Office > <https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=L8LPLONgUEWZ1bvPX148XWK3RusC7_BCtOcrnYIeAl1UNVdBMllKVTBOWFgwRUI0SzFLNFpXTTczTS4u> Thank you in advance for your time and help! If anyone has any comments, questions or wants to reach out directly then please feel free to email me. Best wishes, Jordan Jordan Megyery Associate Conservator of Photographs, J.Paul Getty Museum [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ Jordan Megyery Associate Photograph Conservator J. Paul Getty Museum Los Angeles United States ------------------------------ ------------------------------ Jordan Megyery Associate Photograph Conservator J. Paul Getty Museum Los Angeles United States ------------------------------ 5.From: Barry Knight Posted: Friday September 19, 2025 4:24 PM Subject: RE: Possible pollutions in new highly automated archive with low-oxygen atmosphere Message: Morten is correct to say that desiccant dehumidifiers can reduce pollutant loads - silica gel will adsorb many polar molecules (such as formaldehyde, formic and acetic acids) as well as water vapour. But nitrogen generators produce very dry gas, so you may find you need humidification, not dehumidification. ------------------------------ Barry Knight Conservation Scientist St Albans UK ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-18-2025 10:05 From: Morten Ryhl-Svendsen Subject: Possible pollutions in new highly automated archive with low-oxygen atmosphere 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 ------------------------------ 6.From: Ellen Pearlstein Posted: Friday September 19, 2025 4:24 PM Subject: RE: Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database Message: Congratulations and thank you to our friends at the MFA Boston for contributing this beautiful and robust resource!! Michele, it is so lovely to see your name in print and to be reminded of your significant legacy in CAMEO. Cheers! ------------------------------ Ellen Pearlstein Emerita Professor UCLA/Getty Interdepartmental Program in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage Santa Monica CA ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-18-2025 08:36 From: Michele Derrick Subject: Ukiyo-e Print Colorant Database 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 MFA's Asian Conservation Studio teamed with the MFA's 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 7.From: William Minter Posted: Friday September 19, 2025 4:56 PM Subject: RE: Firecrackers on paper object Message: Hi Susan, Dare I suggest that you make facsimile firecrackers? A note should be included identifying them as such. FYI: We recently had a Library talk where the presentation mentioned three sticks of dynamite that were found in a coal mining collection. When found, the bomb squad was immediately called. After many serious hours, the sticks were determined to be facsimiles. All the Best, Bill ------------------------------ William Minter Senior Book Conservator Penn State University Libraries State College, PA United States ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-18-2025 13:15 From: D. Thor Minnick Subject: Firecrackers on paper object 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: Chris Stavroudis Posted: Friday September 19, 2025 9:32 PM Subject: RE: Firecrackers on paper object Message: Hi Susan, I'll stick my neck out here. If I'm not mistaken, once the explosive in this sort of firecracker gets wet it can no longer explode. I believe it dissolves the oxidizers Thor mentions and even when dry, the explosive system is disabled. On that theory, perhaps you could use a thin-needled syringe to inject water and then draw the water back out. Treat the exterior first with cyclomethicone to prevent the water from migrating into and out of the paper. Honestly, I think the larger concern is the fuse material. If I'm not mistaken, that is usually made from a higher grade explosive so that it doesn't blow out easily. It also should be somewhat waterproof given its intended function. ------------------------------ Chris Stavroudis Paintings Conservator Freelance/Private Practice/Self-employed/Independent W Hollywood United States ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-18-2025 13:15 From: D. Thor Minnick Subject: Firecrackers on paper object 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 ------------------------------ 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.
