I am a third-year student at the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation, and I would like to share highlights from my experience at the 47th AIC Annual Meeting in Uncasville, CT. Thanks to generous support from the FAIC's George Stout Grant, I was able to spend four days at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center. A detailed list of my attended sessions, meetings, and receptions can be found at: https://aics47thannualmeeting2019.sched.com/kteeter
I was exposed to a variety of topics ranging from scientific instrumentation like the Er:YAG laser, to paintings conservation treatments (including works by: Edwin Austin Abbey, Werner Heldt, Felrath Hines, and Florine Stettheimer), and one casino-themed presentation titled "Lessons from the Felt: Thoughts on Risk, Community, and Lifelong Learning From a Poker Player Turned Conservator." I learned about local research within the United States as well as research abroad at sites such as at the Tarot Garden in Italy and Maurithuis in the Netherlands. In addition, I prepared written summaries for two fascinating talks; those blogs (linked below) are now accessible via the AIC Online Community platform.
I also attended events geared towards emerging professionals including the ECPN Networking Happy Hour and ECPN Information Session. During the information session, Eve Mayberger (rising ECPN Chair) announced the 2019-2020 officer appointments. I am excited to be joining this dedicated team as a Professional Education and Training Officer from June 2019 to May 2021.
During breaks from the conference schedule, I enjoyed meeting new people, catching up with old friends, and beginning each morning at 6am with an outdoor running group. I joined my WUDPAC classmates (pictured below) at the Opening Reception following the first day of conference sessions. This reception was hosted at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center in Ledyard, CT. The evening was filled with delicious food, great company, and a chance to learn more about the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation by perusing the galleries and viewing a traditional native dance performance.
WUDPAC Class of 2019 at the AIC Opening Reception
(Madison Brockman, Emily Farek, Haddon Dine, Cassia Balogh, Keara Teeter, Caitlin Richeson, Leila Sabouni, Victoria Wong, and Nick Kaplan)
Photo courtesy of Emily Farek
The following evening, I joined Paintings Specialty Group members for an off-site reception at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum in New London, CT. The museum is housed in a neo-classical building with of nine galleries, research library, art studio, and conservation labs. Although we did not have the opportunity to tour the conservation labs, we were delighted to accompany conservators Lance Mayer and Gay Myers for a delightful impromptu tour of the galleries. Lance and Gay shared their knowledge about the history of the collection and individual histories about many of the American paintings and furniture on display. One of the works I enjoyed hearing about was a painting about a New London patriot named Abigail Dolbeare Hinman during the Revolutionary War (pictured below). The composition depicts an event from September 6, 1781 when the British burned the city of New London, CT.
Abigail Dolbeare Hinman by Daniel Huntington (painted between 1853-1856)
As I bring my summary to a close, I would like to take a moment to thank the Mohegan Tribe through a land acknowledgement. I was introduced to the significance of land acknowledgements for native communities during the closing session "Untold Stories 2019: Indigenous Futures and Collaborative Conservation." This closing session was co-organized by Akomawt Educational Initiative and Untold Stories. I had no expectations going into the workshop since this was the first Untold Stories event I had attended. Throughout the program, I intently listened to the different panel members share their knowledge and personal stories. The panel presentations and interactive breakout sessions were informative, moving, and at some points were heartbreaking. If you missed the closing session and would like to find out more, the presentation slides are available on the Untold Stories website (https://www.untoldstories.live/mohegansun-2019) and a recording of the event is available on AIC's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/aiconservation/videos/590742014746949/?permPage=1).
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