Hello AIC Members!
I'm excited to say we are a little over a week away from the Southeast Region Conservation Association's Annual Meeting in Cherokee, NC!
Meeting Theme: Out-of-the-Box! The Use of Non-Traditional Methods, Materials, and Practices in the Care and Preservation of Cultural Heritage
We have 37 participants registered for the meeting, and an engaging & informative lineup of presentations and workshops. To learn more, take a look at the meeting
schedule here.There is still time to join us! Click here to
REGISTER. We will also be offering an optional add-on workshop for $35,
A Box Is Not Just A Box: The Culturally Sensitive Archival Container.
There are still 3 slots open for this workshop. If you are interested in attending,
click here to register.
To learn more about the Annual Meeting, see below:
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
All things Bright and Beautiful: The Treatment of a Late 19th century Thanjavur Painting – Presenter: Jessica Keister, Paper Conservator
A Re-Treatment Strategy for a Native American Dugout Canoe Previously Conserved with Sucrose – Presenter: Kimberly Kenyon, Archeologist
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
Material Characterization and Conservation Strategy of the Pigmented Stucco Mural on the Wharton Esherick Museum Silo – Presenter: Donglin Chen, Architectural Conservator
Spin Doctor: A Case Study of the Conservation Treatment of a Damaged Globe – Presenter: Geneva Ikle, Paper Conservator
Woven Floors in Crisis: Challenges, Preservation, and the Future of Handwoven Carpet Art in the United States – Presenter: Elaheh Ghazi
HANDS ON DEMONSTRATIONS/WORKSHOPS:
A Box Is Not Just a Box: The Culturally Sensitive Archival Container – Presenter: Jo Lynne (pre-registration required, see link above)
Seriously, Please Don't Touch That! – Identifying and Mitigating Hazardous Materials in Your Collection– Presenter: Jennifer French
Testing Techniques for Hazardous Materials in Collections – Presenter: Brittany Dinneen
Making Tiny First Aid Kits – Presenter: Katie Etre
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.
Looking forward to seeing many of you in Cherokee!
Warmly,
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Marianne Kelsey
SERCA Communications Coordinator
Paper Conservator
Kelsey Conservation
Greensboro NC
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