This two day course is an introduction to the conservation of feathers and featherwork. It is ideal for conservators,  curators, collectors and recent graduates who want to learn and refresh their skills. After getting familiar with the fragile yet resiliant material, a talk about handcraft techniqes and examination of featherwork will raise awareness of the challenges involved in conserving feathers. Further talks accompanied by practical sessions will cover deterioration processes of feathers, various cleaning and repair techniques and also touch on preventive care of feathers and challenges with ethnographic collections.    

By the end of the course you will have learned:

• physical and chemical characteristics of feathers, including colours
• identification of alterations and deterioration processes
• ability to select the most appropriate treatment method
• feel comfortable handling and working with feathers
• cleaning and repair techniques
  • preventive care of feathers and featherwork

You will also benefit from the informal exchange of experience with other participants. Questions and debate are invited, alongside the essential teaching, demonstrations and practice.
 

Additional information

Suitable for students, conservators, curators & collectors.

Arrival Day – this is the first date listed above

Day One
9.30-9.45am - Registration
9.45am - Introduction
10am - First teaching session
12.30pm - Lunch
5.30pm - Teaching sessions end
6.30pm - Dinner (included for residential students)

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Day Two (Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please)

9am - First teaching session
12.30pm - Lunch
5pm - Course ends

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Terms & Conditions