[NHCOLL-L:3006] Museum Artifacts online class in April_please distribute

Helen Alten helen at collectioncare.org
Wed Mar 15 12:22:18 EST 2006


Northern States Conservation Center announces a new on-line class:

MS213: Museum Artifacts: How they were made and how they deteriorate
Instructor: Helen Alten
Dates: April 17 through May 19, 2006
Price: $395
Location:  www.museumclasses.org

Description:
By learning to understand the materials and processes used to make objects, 
participants in MS213 are better prepared to decide how to care for their 
collections. Though every object is unique, items made of the same material 
share similar characteristics.  Participants will examine two objects that 
represent all materials found in our museums. Through an in-depth analysis 
of these two objects and their components, they will explore all possible 
objects found in any museum. The two objects  an Aleut Hunting Hat and an 
Art Deco Fireplace  use every organic and inorganic material used to create 
every object a museum might collect.

Course Outline
Introduction
The Aleut Hunter: Organic Materials
         Wood
         Skin Materials
         Hair, Feathers
         Ivory, Bone, Teeth
         Textiles
         Painted surfaces
         Polymers  adhesives and plastics
Fireplace:  Inorganic Materials
         Ceramic
         Glass
         Stone
         Metal
         Mortars
Mixed Media:  How things interact
The Bigger Picture:  Mixed Collections, Outdoor Display, etc.
Conclusion

Logistics
Participants in Museum Artifacts work through sections at their own pace. 
Instructor Helen Alten is available for scheduled email support. Materials 
and resources include online literature, slide lectures and dialog between 
students and online chats led by the instructor. The course is limited to 
20 participants.

Museum Artifacts runs four weeks. Please enroll at www.museumclasses.org 
and pay for the course at http://www.collectioncare.org/tas/tas.html. If 
you have trouble completing an on-line order, please contact Helen Alten at 
helen at collectioncare.org or 651-659-9420.

Text Books
Gilroy, David and Godfrey, Ian, eds.  A Practical Guide to the Conservation 
and Care of Collections.  Western Australia Museum.  1998

Demeroukas, Marie, ed.  Basic Condition Reporting:  A 
Handbook.  Southeastern Registrars Association, 1998.

Available for purchase from Northern States Conservation Center at 
http://www.collectioncare.org/tas/tas.html.


The Instructor
Helen Alten is an objects conservator and owner of Northern States 
Conservation Center, St. Paul, Minnesota. She has been an educator, 
conservator and trainer since 1986. Ms. Alten received her master's degree 
in archaeological conservation and materials science at the Institute of 
Archaeology, University of London in 1986. She began working with small, 
rural, and tribal museums as conservator for Montana and Alaska.
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