Beyond Water: Tailored Cleaning with Modified Gels and Adjusted Aqueous Solutions

Dates: March 31-April 2, 2027
Format: In-person, Fine Art Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Instructors: Amy Hughes, Michelle Sullivan

Description: This workshop will build on traditional treatment methodologies with novel approaches that exploit the distinct advantages of polysaccharide gels (e.g. agarose and gellan gum) and how they can be modified to suit a variety of treatment concerns. Emphasis will be placed on stain reduction using chemically adjusted solutions, including oil-in-water microemulsions and citrate solutions, and how they can be tailored to a given artwork and stain. Participants will consider how surface measurements such as pH and conductivity can inform these decisions, and what those measurements can and cannot tell us. The workshop will also address the use of gels for washing, adhesive reduction, and attachment removal.

Because this workshop is designed for conservators who are familiar with gels, it will open with only a very brief review of fundamental concepts before moving to the bench. With an emphasis on gel systems that can be prepared without special tools or equipment, this workshop will also introduce recently developed methods to modify gel properties including bulking with adsorbents and blending polysaccharides. Participants will have ample time to practice preparing gels loaded with adjusted aqueous solutions and to develop practical techniques for applying and manipulating gels on the surface of an artwork. They will work on the mock-ups and surrogate objects provided and are encouraged to bring their own samples for experimentation, as well as specific treatment problems for discussion. The goal of this three-day intensive is to develop skills and knowledge that can be directly applied to treatment projects in participants’ own studios and labs.

The workshop will rotate between lecture and practical sessions, reinforcing theoretical concepts immediately through experiential learning. Individual hands-on work and small-group exploration will help participants build the comfort and confidence to incorporate these techniques into their own practice. Small- and large-group discussions, including sessions at the end of each day, will be central to the workshop. Participants are encouraged to share their own experiences so that instructors and participants alike can learn from one another and move these approaches forward together. These conversations will also allow the instructors to adapt to the needs of the group.

This workshop is intended for intermediate users of gels. Participants should have some hands-on experience with agarose or gellan gum. Participants should be familiar with pH and conductivity measurement and with tunable aqueous solutions based on sodium citrate and ammonium acetate. Emerging conservators have been at the forefront of these developments, and those with this background are encouraged to apply.

Interested individuals must apply by December 3. The registration fee is $585 for AIC members, $702 for non-members. Free registration and a $1,000 travel stipend will be provided to a limited number of participants upon request in their application. Please note this workshop is tentatively being planned to take place again in New York in 2028 and people in on West Coast/Central US may be prioritized for 2027.

Funding for this program comes from a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) Endowment for Professional Development, which was created by a grant from the Mellon Foundation and is supported by donations from members of the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and its friends. Workshops are made possible with the assistance of many AIC members, but no AIC membership dues were used to create or present this workshop.

Interested individuals must complete an application by December 3, 2026. This intermediate-level workshop assumes some general familiarity with gels, pH and conductivity adjustment, and chelators. Emerging conservators have been at the forefront of these developments and are encouraged to participate in this offering. Please note this workshop is tentatively being planned to take place again in New York in 2028 and people in on West Coast/Central US may be prioritized for 2027.

Applicants will be asked to describe their relationship with gels, pH and conductivity adjustment, and chelators. Priority will go to conservation professionals who will be working with these techniques immediately following this workshop. Geographic diversity will also be considered.

Submit an application by clicking the "Apply" button below. Applications are submitted through our online application portal. When you enter the portal, you will be prompted to login to the system using a login ID and password. Please note that this system is not connected to your F/AIC profile on our general website.

Criteria for Review

• Experience and current interactions with the topic
• Need for the content (current challenges around the topic)
• Plan for dissemination of information gained
• The program seeks to support a diverse set of participants and will consider geographic location, place of employment type, and profession.

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