Marie-Lou Beauchamp, CCI Conservator of Photographs and Archival Documents
Marie-Lou Beauchamp holds a B.A. in Art History from the University du Quebec à Montréal and a Master of Art Conservation with a specialization in paper objects from Queen’s University. She is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators and a professional associate of the American Institute for Conservation.
Prior to joining the paper laboratory at the Canadian Conservation Institute in 2019, Marie-Lou held the position of paper conservator at the National Gallery Singapore and was the Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Photographs Conservation at the Art Institute of Chicago. Marie-Lou’s research interests include surface characterization of photographs and the use of gels in conservation treatments.
Christine McNair, CCI Book Conservator
Christine McNair has a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in art history from Acadia University and an M.A. in Conservation Studies from West Dean College (UK). Her two and a half years of graduate work in the conservation of books and library materials culminated in a thesis investigating the history and conservation of textile bookbindings. During her studies, she completed a two-month internship at the Centre de Conservation du Livre in France.
Before joining the Canadian Conservation Institute, Christine worked at the London Metropolitan Archives (UK), at Archives Ontario and at Library and Archives Canada. She is the president of the Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild (CBBAG) and was formerly the editor of the CBBAG Journal and the treasurer of the Book and Paper Group of the Institute of Conservation (UK).
Her research interests include parchment, wax seals and modern materials as they relate to books.
This workshop discusses how to identify photographic processes as well as the structure, composition and format of a broad range of photographic materials. Agents of deterioration and mechanisms of deterioration are covered, as are proper storage and handling techniques for photograph collections. Ways to minimize potential damage and information loss in an emergency or disaster are also included.
Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
2-day in-person workshop
January 29 – 30, 2025
9:00 am – 4:30 pm
10 (minimum) / 20 (maximum)
$250 (ASA member); $350 (non-member)
*Lunch is included in registration
January 15, 2025
November 22, 2024
December 6, 2024
Structure, composition and formats
Understanding the composition and structure of photographic materials in order to identify types and formats of prints, negatives and transparencies. This will serve to facilitate the identification of photographic processes.
Deterioration
Why and how photographic materials deteriorate, including inherent chemical instability, physical damage, biological attack and adverse environmental conditions. Common deterioration problems and how to recognize them. Remedial actions that can be taken to slow down or stop deterioration.
Storage, handling and display
Proper storage conditions, including temperature, relative humidity, light, pollution levels, types of storage rooms and storage containers. Procedures to minimize physical and chemical damage, including protecting the surface from oxidizing agents during exhibition and when researchers handle the photographs. Examination of existing international technical standards and recommendations by experts in the field.
Disaster recovery
Procedures for the safe recovery of photographic materials from water damage and other disasters. Minimizing potential for damage during the salvage and recovery operations.
Applied conservation interventions
Explore how to safely perform basic interventions that allow safe handling or exhibition of photographs and learn to determine when the intervention of a professional conservator is needed. This module has a hands-on component where you will be able to practice these techniques on samples with conservation grade materials and tools.
Target audience
Curators, collections managers, archivists and other personnel responsible for the preservation of archival materials as well as conservators interested in learning about photographic processes and their specific needs.
Please note that the ASA Registration and Attendance Policy applies to our workshops.
