Texas Association of Museums Conference in Houston

The Texas Association of Museums conference is just about to begin: April 18th  - 21st. As always there will be lots of panel discussions and events to attend.

NTAAC is inviting you to join the conversation at the Art Conservation Roundtable on Thursday morning.

This session will consist of five Texas based art conservators stationed at five tables. The conservators will introduce themselves and give a brief description of the field their table will be discussing. Participants move freely from table to table and ask questions.

Conservation fields represented will include: Furniture/ Frames- Alton Bowman, Scrapbooks- Olivia Primanis, Books- Kimberly Kwan, Photograph- Fernanda Valverde, and Ceramics - Brad Ford Smith. Popular topics will include but not limited to proper handling, storage, basic care, signs to watch out for and where to find more information. Each conservator will have demonstration materials and other information to help illustrate the various issues pertaining to their field.

      

Intro To An Introduction To The Gels Conference

Last October in London there was a conference on gels used in conservation aptly named Gels In Conservation Conference. This three day event was so popular that even after moving to a larger venue with 500 seats there were still conservators trying to sneak past the guards to get inside.

Fortunately a few Texas conservators were in attendance, among them Jodie Utter, Senior Paper Conservator at the Amon Carter Museum, Laura Hartman Painting Conservator at the Dallas Museum of Art, and Kimberly Kwan Paper Conservator at the Harry Ransom Center. Each of them  recapped their experience at the conference during a recent gathering at the Dallas Museum of Art.

NTAAC is very happy to be re-posting Jodie's presentation here on the NTAAC blog. There will be six postings in all, spread out over the next six days.

Presentation On Gels In Conservation at the DMA Feb 23rd

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Jodie Utter, the Senior Paper Conservator at the Amon Carter has invited NTAAC to join her, Kimberly Kwan and Laura Hartman for an afternoon at the DMA.

The event titled, Gels in Conservation, an Afternoon of Talks, is hosted by the Dallas Museum of Art. The event will take place in the Founders Room, February 23, 2018 from 2:00  - 4:30pm.   

Jodie Utter will give an overview of the gels conference held in London last October.  Kimberly Kwan will present her work with gels, and Laura Hartman will present a treatment using gels on paintings. 

Gels In Conservation, an Afternoon of Talks

Friday, February 23^rd, 2 to 4:30pm

Founder's Room at the Dallas Museum Of Art

This event is free but please do RSVP.

RSVP: Laura Hartman lhartman@dma.org or Jodie Utter jodie.utter@cartermuseum.org

This is going to be very informative and a great reason to pull yourself away from your work desk. 

See you there,

Brad

PS: We'll be posting the notes from Jodie's presentation on the NTAAC blog/website. So keep an eye open for those.

The First NTAAC Lunch of 2018

Let's start 2018 with lunch, talking about broken stuff!!! As you know NTAAC events are open to all art conservators and to all people who work with art and/or artifacts. 

We'll be meeting up at the north Dallas Kuai Asian Kitchen just north of the Galleria at noon. Kuai is serving up tasty dumplings and steaming pho.

Wednesday, January 3rd. 12:00noon

Kuai Asian Kitchen

13710 Dallas Parkway Suite G

https://www.kuaiasiankitchen.com/  

Cheers,

Brad

Art Conservation Happy Hour

Join NTAAC for our first Happy Hour of 2017. Wed. April 19th 6:00- 7:30...
We'll be talk about broken stuff while enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine.
This event is open to all art conservators and people, businesses, museums, organizations and societies who focus on the conservation, preservation, display or handling of art or historic artifacts. So pull yourself away from that work desk and lets talk about broken stuff!
We'll be meeting at a great little dive in the Exposition Park area called 8 Bells Alehouse.
Wednesday, April 19th 6:00- 7:30...
8 Bells Alehouse
831 Exposition ave
Dallas TX 75226 

Join us, Brad

Broken Stuff and Fried Fish Lunch

It's time we got together to eat some catfish and talked about broken stuff!

NTAAC is also looking for new Board Members! So if you would like to help build the NTAAC community drop by and raise your hand.

NTAAC Lunch

Thursday, April 28th 12:noon

Big Shucks

6232 E Mockingbird ln

Dallas TX 

See you there,

Brad

From A Box Of Wires

It's always exciting to learn new things. It opens the door to new possibilities and new ways of seeing the world around us.

From our modern vantage point of nano bits, microcircuitry and high speed internet it's hard to believe that a box full of coiled wires, glass tubes and wood dowels could have made such a dramatic impact on humanity. From the very first broadcasts radio altered forever the way we view politics, music, and each other.

This post should be the last test post for the new Mailchimp subscription program (learning new things).  We'll be posting new NTAAC events for 2015 soon so keep an eye out for the NTAAC email newsletter and don't forget to LIKE NTAAC on Facebook and Linkedin.

Cheers,
Brad

New Circuits And Old Tubes

From the first static AM radio broadcasts to the first man to walk on the moon, vacuum tubes got us a long way...

This is the second test for the new, amazingly hi-tech but still 100% volunteer driven  NTAAC Newsletter. If all systems return GO then we'll be ready for lift off.

Cheers,
Brad

Art Forgery Movie Matinee Sunday

Join NTAAC this Sunday Oct. 19th @ 4:00pm for the movie Art And Craft.

Art And Craft is a documentary about one of the most prolific art forgers living in America. The previews look really good.

This is a don't miss for all you painting conservators who have been tempted by the dark side...

After the movie we'll meet up at the theatre bar for a drink.

Sunday Oct 19th at 4:00pm

Angelika Film Center Dallas

5321 E. Mockingbird Ln. #230

Dallas TX 75206

See you there,

Brad

RSVP For Tour Of The Birdwell Library Conservation Lab

This Wednesday, Febuarury 19th NTAAC will be touring the Bridwell Library Conservation Lab. Space is limited, so RSVP to NTAAC@yahoo.com ASAP.

Bridwell Library is on the SMU campus.  The Conservation Lab focuses on conservation and bookbinding. 

Our host, Jesse Hunt will be discuss bookbinding and book conservation techniques and show us some of the tools and materials used in the process. He'll be pulling out some items from the special collections library to better illustrate how the tools and techniques discussed in the lab can be put to good use.

The Bridwell Library is located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, opposite the Meadows Museum, and just north of the Chapel.  

The tour  begins at 10:30am, on Wednesday, February 19th.  Due to space, the tour will be limited to  15 guests.  Please RSVP to NTAAC@yahoo.com ASAP.

After the tour we'll continue the conversation over lunch at DIGGS Taco Shop  

Book Conservation Lab Tour Details

On Wednesday, Febuarury 19th NTAAC will be touring the Bridwell Library Conservation Lab. Space is limited, so RSVP to NTAAC@yahoo.com ASAP.

Bridwell Library is on the SMU campus.  The Conservation Lab focuses on conservation and bookbinding.  Highlights from the collection include the Triple Crown of Modern Typography (The Kelmscott Chaucer, The Doves Press Bible, and The Ashendene Dante).

Our host, Jesse Hunt moved to TX, and Bridwell Library, in March of 2012 and gave new life to the conservation lab, which had been mothballed through most of the last decade.  Previous to that, he worked as Assistant Conservator to Richard Baker at the Richard Baker Book and Paper Conservation Studio in St.Louis, Missouri.  He studied printmaking and chemistry at the University of Missouri, St.Louis and has an extensive knowledge of fine art paper. 

We will discuss bookbinding and book conservation techniques and see some of the tools and materials used in the process.  Followed by a brief viewing of some items from our special collections library which will better illustrate how the tools and techniques discussed in the lab can be put to good use.

The Bridwell Library is located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, opposite the Meadows Museum, and just north of the Chapel.  

The tour  begins at 10:30am, on Wednesday, February 19th.  Due to space, the tour will be limited to  15 guests.  Please RSVP to NTAAC@yahoo.com ASAP.

After the tour we'll continue the conversation over lunch at DIGGS Taco Shop  

See you there.

Tour of the Book Conservation Lad at the Bridwell Library

Clear your calendar for February 19th NTAAC meeting, because you won't want to miss this rare opportunity to visit the book conservation lab at the Bridwell Library.

Bridwell Library is a branch of the Perkins School of Theology on the campus of Southern Methodist University.  The Conservation Lab was originally added as part of a building expansion in 1988, in large part, to accommodate celebrated bookbinder and conservator Jan Sobota, who ran the lab until the late 90’s, and to service the expansive special collections housed within the library vault.  Highlights from the collection include the Triple Crown of Modern Typography (The Kelmscott Chaucer, The Doves Press Bible, and The Ashendene Dante).

Jesse Hunt moved to TX, and Bridwell Library, nearly two years ago in March of 2012 and gave new life to the conservation lab, which had been mothballed through most of the last decade.  Previous to that, he worked as Assistant Conservator to Richard Baker at the Richard Baker Book and Paper Conservation Studio in St.Louis, Missouri.  He studied printmaking and chemistry at the University of Missouri, St.Louis and has an extensive knowledge of fine art paper. 

We will discuss bookbinding and book conservation techniques and see some of the tools and materials used in the process.  Followed by a brief viewing of some items from our special collections library which will better illustrate how the tools and techniques discussed in the lab can be put to good use.

The Bridwell Library is located on the campus of Southern Methodist University, opposite the Meadows Museum, and just north of the Chapel.  

The tour  begins at 10:30am, on Wednesday, February 19th.  Due to space, the tour will be limited to  15 guests.  Please RSVP to NTAAC@yahoo.com ASAP.

After the tour we'll continue the conversation over lunch at DIGGS Taco Shop  

Stay tuned for more information...

Furniture Conservation Presentation at next NTAAC Event

Recent Conservation Projects By Alton Bowman

The North Texas Association for Art Conservation and the Dallas Museum of Art are happy to host a lecture by Alton Bowman; Recent Projects: Frames, Chairs and a Desk.  

Mr. Bowman is an art conservator who specializes in French, English and American furniture. He has a long history of working with museums and private collectors on some very important pieces of furniture, such as the Rosedown American Goth Bed on exhibit at the DMA. 

In this presentation he will highlight several new projects, and discuss the various conservation treatments he used on them. For those who work with fine antique furniture and those who work in wood this is a must attend event.

After the lecture we'll continue the discussion over lunch at the Klyde Warren Park food trucks.

Monday, September 9th at 12:00pm noon 

Dallas Museum of Art

1717 N. Harwood st

Dallas TX. 75201 

The DMA auditorium is open special just for this event, so please RSVP by September 5^th to Gabriela Truly at GTruly@DallasMuseumofArt.org. 

For more information about this event or future NTAAC events, please contact us at NTAAC@yahoo.com

See you there, 

Brad

NTAAC Members Doing Good with Hammers and Saws

The members of NTAAC comprise a wide range of skills, interests and activities. Last week Ron Siebler and his team of carpenters started the exterior preservation work on the Pilot Grove Church located on the grounds of the Dallas Heritage Village.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, while working on the south side of the bell tower they donned period clothing and...

...used period tools as well. There was also an area set up in front of the church that allowed the public an opportunity to work with some of the hand tools. Ron says drilling holes with the old bit and brace drill was the most popular tool of the day.

Thanks Ron for sharing, and to Drew Timmons for capturing it on film.

NTAAC loves to know what its member are up to, so if you have an event, project, interview, article... that is artifact centric, let us know about it.

Re-Vaulting Texas

NTAAC and the Dallas Museum of Art are happy to be hosting Re-Vaulting Texas, an informal presentation by metals art conservator Michael Van Enter. Drawing from his experiences conserving historic bank vaults, Michael will address issues such as metal identification, surface coatings, and patinas. 

If you have any questions concerning metal conservation, Michael with his twenty + years of experience conserving metal objects, sculptures and architecture is the man to ask. 

Monday, March 4th at 12:00noon 

Dallas Museum of Art

1717 N. Harwood st

Dallas TX. 75201 

After the lecture please join us for lunch at the food trucks at Klyde Warren Park.

For further information please contact the North Texas Association for Art Conservation at ntaac@yahoo.com.

To reserve parking in the DMA garage please RSVP to Gabriela Truly atGTruly@DallasMuseumofArt.org. 

See you there,

Brad

Presentation By Mark Leonard, The Chief Conservator At The DMA

You need to mark you calendars for this event! On Monday, September 24th at 12:00 noon, Mr. Mark Leonard, the new Chief Conservator at the Dallas Museum of Art will give an informal presentation at the DMA. He will discuss both  his previous work as an art conservator as well as touch on plans for the new painting conservation lab at the DMA.

With over three decades of professional experience in conservation, Mark has worked with several major museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Frick Collection, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, but he is probably best known for his recent tenure as Head of Conservation at the J. Paul Getty Museum.

Once again, NTAAC is very happy to team up with the DMA for this very exciting event.

The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP with Gabriela Truly by Friday 9/21/12 at 10am.  Gtruly@DallasMuseumofArt.org

After Mark's presentation, please join the members of NTAAC at El Fenix on McKinney Avenue for lunch and more conversation about art, artifacts, and glue.


The North Texas Association for Art Conservation (NTAAC) is a collegial group interested in the preservation, conservation, and restoration of historic and artistic works. NTAAC aims to promote professional dialogue in North Texas, support educational efforts within the conservation community and reach out to invested communities.

Heavy Lifting for the July NTAAC Meeting

On Wednesday, July 18th we will be meeting at Unified Fine Arts Services. David and Victor will lead use a tour of the new facilities and talking about moving some of the biggest works of art in the DFW area.

Unified provides art handling services that include installation, transportation, storage and crating. Their clients include the Dallas Museum of Art, the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Goss-Michael Foundation, and the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame (one of my favorite museums) just to name a few.

Click Here to see photos of the Unified team de-installing the LARGE paint by Tamayo at the DMA.

We'll be having lunch after the tour. The perfect time to talk about art, conservation, history, storage, humidity control, pest management, museums, history, glue...


Wednesday, July 18th 11:30am sharp
Unified Fine Arts Services
14105 Inwood rd.
Dallas, TX 75244
For directions contact Kim Higginbotham 214-678-9101
(Please note that the Unified website still lists their OLD address)


NTAAC events are free and open to the public. We host these events to help the community of North Texas keep in touch with issues pertaining to art conservation and art handling.

August 28th event will be a casual mixer between NTAAC and NTISA

Local and National Disaster with Lunch

Museum Disasters: Who Are You Going To Call?!

Join NTAAC at the DMA for Ms. Gina Minks' lecture on local and national disaster assistance organizations 

Ms Minks is the Imaging and Preservation Service Manager at Amigos Library Services Inc., one of the largest library service networks in the nation. Her experience in distater recovery includes being deployed to Galveston, Texas after Hurricane Ike.

Still hungry for disastrous and broken conversation? 

Join NTAAC for the after lecture NTAAC lunch at the historic downtown El Fenix. 1601 McKinney Ave, just two blocks from the DMA.

Monday, May 21st at 12:00 noon

C3 Theater

Dallas Museum of Art

1717 North Harwood St.

Dallas TX, 75201

This lecture is free and open to the public. Please RSVP if you wish to receive free parking at the DMA. gtruly@DallasMuseumofArt.org

To find out more about the North Texas Association for Art Conservation visit the NTAAC website at http://ntaac.blogspot.com/