SERCA 2026 Annual Meeting Announcement
Join Us For The SERCA 2026 Annual Meeting in Cherokee, North Carolina!
Meeting Theme: Out-of-the-Box!
The Use of Non-Traditional Methods, Materials, and Practices in the Care and Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Dates: Friday, February 27th – Sunday, March 1st, 2026
Location: Cherokee, North Carolina
The Southeastern Regional Conservation Association (SERCA) is thrilled to host our annual conference, taking place this year in the stunning Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina!
Attend presentations that explore a variety of innovative and thought-provoking approaches to conservation. This year's theme, Out-of-the-Box!, celebrates the bold, the experimental, and the unconventional-methods, materials, and practices that push beyond traditional models of care and preservation.
Laura Elliff Cruz, Head of Collections at the School for Advanced Research (SAR) Indian Arts Research Center (IARC)is the keynote speaker for our annual conference. She will provide a virtual presentation on the Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide. This framework honors Indigenous belief systems and practices, centering Tribal sovereignty and intellectual authority over cultural heritage.
Presentations will also include the following:
Against The Grain: Applications of Non-Traditional Materials in Furniture Conservation – Presenter: Emily McClain, Conservator of Wooden Artifacts
Clays and Plant Leaves for Cleaning Paintings: Evaluating and Developing Bio-Based, Historically Inspired Methods for Oil Paintings at the Rijksmuseum – Presenter: Victoria Ward, Paintings Conservator
Live Conservation, a Non-traditional Practice: Notes on Art Conservation In the Public Eye – Presenter: Luis Seixas, Objects Conservator
Spin Doctor: A Case Study of the Conservation Treatment of a Damaged Globe – Presenter: Geneva Ikle, Paper Conservator
More presentations to be announced soon!
Visit the SERCA Website for an updated schedule in the coming weeks!
Join us as we gather in the heart of the Appalachians to share knowledge, spark conversation, and reimagine the future of cultural heritage preservation.
Don't miss the opportunity to be a part of this dynamic event!
REGISTER HERE: https://sercaconservation.org/annual-meeting/.
Email any questions to me at communications@sercaconservation.org.
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Marianne Kelsey
SERCA Communications Coordinator
Paper Conservator
Kelsey Conservation
Greensboro NC
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