TAM Along The River Walk

The Conservation Roundtable session at 2012 TAM Conference in San Antonio played to a full house. It started with a short powerpoint presentation on what art conservers do, then, with the room set up with five tables with one art conservator at each table the session turned into a movable feast of questions and conservation advice.

When the final bell range ending the session few people were ready to leave, lingering to ask more questions and collect business cards. Over all I would say if was one of the most active and well received sessions at this years conference.

Perhaps, NTAAC will host it again next year when TAM meets in Waco.

TEDxSMU Auditions

On October 11th I'll be giving a short 3 minute presentation: What People Reach For When Things Fall Apart. 

Its part of the TEDxSMU auditions, a chance to be part of the longer presentation/program in December, that's why it's only 3 minutes long. Each of the 13 presenters will have to boil down a 20 minute lecture into a short, concise teaser. Pretty hard when you love talking about your topic.

I'll be talking about how art conservators get a unique opportunity to see how people solve problems. There will be images of duct tape wrapped legs, Candle sticks tied up in red ribbon, pools of glue and of course lots of things nails but not really together.

I asked several members of the North Texas Association for Art Conservation (NTAAC) for photos to include in this presentation. Thanks Melanie at Textile Preservation Services of Texas, Tish at the Center for Art Conservation, and Cher at Art Restorations Inc, your contributions are wonderful.

The event is open to the public. You will help select who goes on to present in December.
More info and tickets click HERE

North Texas Association for Art Conservation NTAAC

What do you get when you stuff a bunch of art conservators into a freight elevator? The first official meeting of the North Texas Association for Art Conservation (NTAAC).

Actually there has been an unofficial group of art conservators enjoying monthly lunches for a few years now. Melanie Sanford (second from the right) brought up the topic of formally organizing the group, that sparked the birth of NTAAC.

NTAAC is still in the  early stages, no website, blog or Face Book page yet. Some of the topics that NTAAC is focusing on are: Brings together art conservators in North Texas for open discussions on issues pertaining to art conservation, Building a strong community network that can be accessed for emergency response to natural disasters such as floods and fires, and Coordinating community workshops on art conservation.

Thanks to John Campbell (4th head from the left), his conservation staff (left elbow, and 3rd from the right), and the Nasher Sculpture Center for hosting the August NTAAC lunch.