Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. White House Ballroom Proposal: voice your opinion on the East Wing demolition and planned ballroom construction 2. Call for abstract for ChemCH Conference 8-11 June 2026 3. Artist's Interview Workshop - 17th&18th April - Lisbon (Portugal) 4. SERCA 2026 Annual Meeting - Still Time To Register! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Leonard Nichols Posted: Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:13 PM Subject: White House Ballroom Proposal: voice your opinion on the East Wing demolition and planned ballroom construction Message: Two of the key oversight committees responsible for reviewing the White House ballroom proposal have upcoming public meetings, both of which can be attended online. 1. The Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) has a meeting on February 19th 2026 at 9am EST, for which you can submit written comments up until the 18th at 4pm EST via https://www.cfa.gov/submit-public-comment <https://www.cfa.gov/submit-public-comment> or by emailing [email protected] <[email protected]> . The meeting is on zoom and you can register to attend at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pc5l63LKQX2E60lNP2C8Uw#/registration <https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pc5l63LKQX2E60lNP2C8Uw#/registration> , and general meeting info is here https://www.cfa.gov/records-research/record-cfa-actions/2026/02/cfa-meeting <https://www.cfa.gov/records-research/record-cfa-actions/2026/02/cfa-meeting> . The CFA is responsible for reviewing the design of the planned ballroom and they specify that comments should be limited to 'design issues', which you can see for yourself in the renderings provided https://www.cfa.gov/system/files/meeting-materials/CFA-19FEB26-1-NPS-WH-Ballroom_pres-sm%5B2-14%5D.pdf <https://www.cfa.gov/system/files/meeting-materials/CFA-19FEB26-1-NPS-WH-Ballroom_pres-sm%5B2-14%5D.pdf> . 2. The National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) has a meeting on March 5th 2026 at 10am EST, also online at https://www.ncpc.gov/live/ <https://www.ncpc.gov/live/> . Written comments must be submitted by March 4th at 12 noon EST. You don't need to register to attend but you do need to register to make spoken comments by February 25th via https://www.ncpc.gov/participate/guidelines/ <https://www.ncpc.gov/participate/guidelines/> , and 'witnesses are scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis for agenda items based on when they sign up to speak' ( https://www.ncpc.gov/review/meeting/ <https://www.ncpc.gov/review/meeting/> ). The NCPC is responsible for reviewing planning permission for the construction of a ballroom and an underground complex on the site of the demolished East Wing. The members of both the CFS and NCPC have been replaced by the Trump administration within the last few months. Having demolished the East Wing without proper oversight, it would appear that the government now intends to force through planning permission even as it continues work on the underground complex ( https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/16/politics/ballroom-commission-fine-arts-trump <https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/16/politics/ballroom-commission-fine-arts-trump> ). The National Trust for Historic Preservation's ongoing lawsuit to halt construction concerns the violation of federal laws 'by tearing down part of the iconic building without required reviews or congressional approval', citing 'violations of the national capital planning act, the national environmental policy act, and the constitution's property clause, which reserves oversight of federal property to Congress.' Added to this, polls show that a majority of the US population oppose the ballroom project https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/12/lawsuit-trump-white-house-ballroom <https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/12/lawsuit-trump-white-house-ballroom> . More information can be found at the National Trust for Historic Preservation's website at https://savingplaces.org/public-comment-period-white-house-ballroom <https://savingplaces.org/public-comment-period-white-house-ballroom> , where you can also let the Trust know about your comments to the CFS and NCPC so that they can track public engagement. ------------------------------ Leonard Nichols ProtonMail ------------------------------ 2.From: Emma Paolin Posted: Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:13 PM Subject: Call for abstract for ChemCH Conference 8-11 June 2026 Message: Applications to submit an abstract for this year's ChemCH conference have been extended to 1 March! https://chemch2026.fkkt.uni-lj.si/ <https://chemch2026.fkkt.uni-lj.si/> The ChemCH conference promotes chemical sciences in the field of understanding, conservation and use of cultural heritage, which includes all typologies of heritage: objects, buildings, landscapes etc. The main objective is to understand the materiality of cultural heritage, its environment and use. Advances in research methodologies, instrumentation and contemporary computational approaches have significantly improved our ability to understand the properties and composition of heritage and archaeological materials, how they respond to their environment or treatments, and how they change with time. Equally important is the interpretation and visualisation of data using data-intensive approaches and AI. Chemistry for Cultural Heritage promotes highly interdisciplinary research informed and guided by the needs of the heritage sector. A round table How to ensure impact of scientific research in heritage organisations" will involve Prof Dr Ali Abdelhalim, Director of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt, Prof Dr Carl Heron, the British Museum, Director of Scientific Research, United Kingdom, Prof Dr Ronny Maik Leder, Director General, Natural History Museum of Leipzig, Germany, Ms Martina Lesar Kikelj, Head of the Restoration Centre, Institute for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, Slovenia, Dr Jana Kolar, Director of the National and University Library, Slovenia, Prof Dr Maite Maguregui, Chair of the EUChemS Working Group Chemistry for Cultural Heritage, University of the Basque Country, Spain and New York University, USA, Ms Zhou Ping, Vice-Director of the Emperor Qinshishuang Mausoleum Museum, China. It will explore how scientific research can deliver impact in the management of cultural heritage, development of improved public services and evidence-based policies, as well as what researchers can do to ensure that their work is impactful. Conversely, it will look at best practices of how heritage organisations engage in scientific research as part of their core business. 3.From: Marta Palmeira Posted: Wednesday February 18, 2026 5:14 PM Subject: Artist's Interview Workshop - 17th&18th April - Lisbon (Portugal) Message: We are writing to announce our 30th Masterclass - a 2nd edition of the workshop Artist's Interview, with the conservator Ruth Del Fresno-Guillem, specialist on interviewing artists. This workshop offers a hands-on approach to a practice long proven to be efficient. It will not only present different approaches to the artist interview but also provide practical applications based on years of studying and conducting interviews. It will overview of various techniques, methodologies, practices, and case studies, introducing participants to diverse questions and projects. By the end of the course, the participants will feel https://www.instagram.com/p/DUh7QIGitAy/ <https://www.instagram.com/p/DUh7QIGitAy/>equipped and confident in their ability to conduct effective artist interviews. Not only conservators can register, but also registrars, curators, collection managers, archivists, oral history professionals, collectors, artists, and any other art professional. For more information, have a look at the flyer. And don't hesitate in writing to us if you have any doubts. Looking forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Marta Palmeira ------------------------------ Marta Palmeira Conservator 20|21 Conservação e Restauro de Arte Contemporânea Porto Portugal ------------------------------ 4.From: Marianne Kelsey Posted: Wednesday February 18, 2026 8:32 PM Subject: SERCA 2026 Annual Meeting - Still Time To Register! Message: Hello AIC Members! I'm excited to say we are a little over a week away from the Southeast Region Conservation Association's Annual Meeting in Cherokee, NC! Meeting Theme: Out-of-the-Box! The Use of Non-Traditional Methods, Materials, and Practices in the Care and Preservation of Cultural Heritage We have 37 participants registered for the meeting, and an engaging & informative lineup of presentations and workshops. To learn more, take a look at the meeting schedule here. <https://drive.google.com/file/d/162oHsZ7Ovpgs0gUw_dwgnSwRY6f3PsRS/view?usp=drive_link> There is still time to join us! Click here to REGISTER <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQHCzfkIzuwPFi_TwdmVqdTl4QSEiyxoyXmVeX6xRyGfG9eg/viewform>. We will also be offering an optional add-on workshop for $35, A Box Is Not Just A Box: The Culturally Sensitive Archival Container. There are still 3 slots open for this workshop. If you are interested in attending, click here <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KZ0Y19qe4fronhrdPTzaauG_3kvCOMn_DA6dr56-u-M/edit> to register. To learn more about the Annual Meeting, see below: Join Us For The SERCA 2026 Annual Meeting in Cherokee, North Carolina! Meeting Theme: Out-of-the-Box! The Use of Non-Traditional Methods, Materials, and Practices in the Care and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Dates: Friday, February 27th – Sunday, March 1st, 2026 Location: Cherokee, North Carolina The Southeastern Regional Conservation Association (SERCA) is thrilled to host our annual conference, taking place this year in the stunning Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina! Attend presentations that explore a variety of innovative and thought-provoking approaches to conservation. This year's theme, Out-of-the-Box!, celebrates the bold, the experimental, and the unconventional-methods, materials, and practices that push beyond traditional models of care and preservation. Laura Elliff Cruz, Head of Collections at the School for Advanced Research (SAR) Indian Arts Research Center (IARC)is the keynote speaker for our annual conference. She will provide a virtual presentation on the Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide. This framework honors Indigenous belief systems and practices, centering Tribal sovereignty and intellectual authority over cultural heritage. Presentations will also include the following: Against The Grain: Applications of Non-Traditional Materials in Furniture Conservation – Presenter: Emily McClain, Conservator of Wooden Artifacts All things Bright and Beautiful: The Treatment of a Late 19th century Thanjavur Painting – Presenter: Jessica Keister, Paper Conservator A Re-Treatment Strategy for a Native American Dugout Canoe Previously Conserved with Sucrose – Presenter: Kimberly Kenyon, Archeologist Clays and Plant Leaves for Cleaning Paintings: Evaluating and Developing Bio-Based, Historically Inspired Methods for Oil Paintings at the Rijksmuseum – Presenter: Victoria Ward, Paintings Conservator Live Conservation, a Non-traditional Practice: Notes on Art Conservation In the Public Eye – Presenter: Luis Seixas, Objects Conservator Material Characterization and Conservation Strategy of the Pigmented Stucco Mural on the Wharton Esherick Museum Silo – Presenter: Donglin Chen, Architectural Conservator Spin Doctor: A Case Study of the Conservation Treatment of a Damaged Globe – Presenter: Geneva Ikle, Paper Conservator Woven Floors in Crisis: Challenges, Preservation, and the Future of Handwoven Carpet Art in the United States – Presenter: Elaheh Ghazi HANDS ON DEMONSTRATIONS/WORKSHOPS: A Box Is Not Just a Box: The Culturally Sensitive Archival Container – Presenter: Jo Lynne (pre-registration required, see link above) Seriously, Please Don't Touch That! – Identifying and Mitigating Hazardous Materials in Your Collection– Presenter: Jennifer French Testing Techniques for Hazardous Materials in Collections – Presenter: Brittany Dinneen Making Tiny First Aid Kits – Presenter: Katie Etre Join us as we gather in the heart of the Appalachians to share knowledge, spark conversation, and reimagine the future of cultural heritage preservation. Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this dynamic event! REGISTER HERE: https://sercaconservation.org/annual-meeting/ <https://sercaconservation.org/annual-meeting/>. Email any questions to me at [email protected] <[email protected]>. Looking forward to seeing many of you in Cherokee! Warmly, ------------------------------ Marianne Kelsey SERCA Communications Coordinator Paper Conservator Kelsey Conservation Greensboro NC ------------------------------ 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.
