Bringing together the international mountmaking community
AIC MWG/IMF Collaborative Forum
The American Institute for Conservation's Materials Working Group Fact Sheet Group and the International Mountmakers Forum will host a virtual forum to discuss collaborative decision-making in selecting materials for mount fabrication. Decisions around mount fabrication are guided by materials testing, require creative problem solving and risk management, and involve dialogue between conservators and mountmakers.
In this forum, we will explore models of collaboration between these stakeholders, as well as illuminate the role and nuances of materials testing. The forum will include short presentations on Oddy testing and examples of collaborations between mountmakers and conservators. The presentations will be followed by a semi-structured question and answer session with a small group of panelists. We invite mountmakers, conservators, scientists, and other museum professionals to attend this forum.
2025
AIC MWG/IMF Collaborative Forum:
Mountmaking Materials: Coatings and Barriers
Thursday, April 3
3-5:30pm EST
VIRTUAL
To help us prepare for our next steps, we are asking for your input on the materials you use (or want to use) as barriers and coatings for your mounts. Please click the link below:
We will compile and share answers at the event but will keep names and institutions or companies anonymous.
Survey will stay open until April 15, 2025.
AGENDA
01
Introduction
Exhibits Specialist/Mountmaker
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
02
Mount Materials Survey Summary
Exhibits Specialist/Mountmaker
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
TESTING INTRODUCTION
03
Existing Online Resources
Megan Salas
Objects Conservator
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
04
Introduction to Oddy Testing
Devon Lee
Graduate Intern
Denver Museum of Nature and Science
05
Overview of Project in Progress: Benchmarking the Oddy Test
Julia Bakker-Arkema
Associate Research Scientist
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
COLLABORATION FLASH TALKS
06
Mixing It Up: Mount Coating Follow-up Experiments from the IMF Boston
Exhibits Specialist/Mountmaker
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
07
Laropal A-81, Conservation Resin as a Mount Coating
Mountmaker
Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
08
A Brief Overview of the Use of 3D Printed Materials at The Getty Museum
Sr. Mountmaker
Decorative Arts and Sculpture Conservation, Getty Museum
09
To Coat or Not to Coat? Acrylic Coatings of Spray Paint Primers
Kelli Stoneburner
Preservation Science Specialist
Library of Congress
10
Redevelopment of NMAI’s Recommended Materials List
Susan Heald
Textile Conservator
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Beth Holford
Objects Conservator
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Q&A PANEL
11
Moderators:
Megan Salas, Jennifer Herrmann National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), and Elizabeth Soriano
Panelists:
All previous speakers plus these additional panelists:
Mair La Touche (Benchmark), T. Ashley McGrew (Cantor Arts Center)
NEXT STEPS
12
Exhibits Specialist/Mountmaker
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History