The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC) will be holding a 5-day workshop on the conservation of Plastics:

"Plastics Lifetimes Are Short: They need Identification, Conservation and Storage"

Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center

Omaha, Nebraska

June 8-12, 2009

Thea van Oosten, of the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage (ICN) and Yvonne Shashoua, of the National Museum of Denmark, will present this course comprised of lectures, demonstrations and laboratory sessions in order to introduce participants to identification of plastics, physical and chemical qualities, causes and appearance of deterioration, preventative and active conservation measures, and issues such as handling and marking.

There will be an emphasis on practical preventive conservation of plastics and rubbers as well as discussion about the challenges of active conservation.  This course will relate the theory of physical and chemical breakdown of major plastics components (polymer and additives) to the practical aspects of conserving these materials. Although the emphasis will be on three-dimensional objects rather than conservation of films of synthetic paints and adhesives, conservators from other disciplines are welcome to attend.

The course fee for this course is $600 for AIC members and $900 for non-members, and includes lunches. Applications are due no later than May 1, 2009 (or until course is filled).

For registration, further details, and information about other FAIC courses, please visit

http://aic.stanford.edu/education/workshops/index.html

Lisa Avent

Education Manager

Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works

1156 15th St. NW, Suite 320

Washington, DC  20005-1714

202-661-8069

Fax: 202-452-9328

Eric Pourchot, Ph.D.

Institutional Advancement Director

Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works

1156 15th St. NW, Suite 320

Washington, DC  20005-1714

202-452-9545, ext. 5

Fax: 202-452-9328