Water We Doing? Wet Treatment in Conservation

While it might seem like a bad idea to submerge a vital piece of your collection in water, there are situations when a wet treatment is the best option for conservation. CCAHA NEA Book Conservation Fellow, Nylah Byrd discusses two such case studies, and Associate Paper Conservator Joanna Hurd gives an overview of how paper and water interact in these treatments. Together, they answer the questions of what wet treatment is, when the best times to use it are, and why it works in certain instances. This webinar will introduce you to what to expect and what questions to ask when discussing wet treatments with a conservator. About the Speakers: As CCAHA's 2022-23 NEA Book Conservation Fellow, Nylah Byrd works under the supervision of Senior Book Conservator Richard Homer to support the work of our Book Conservation Department. Nylah graduated from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC) in 2022. She previously completed her undergraduate education at Stanford University, receiving a B.A with Honors in Archaeology and minors in Chemistry and Studio Art. Her professional interests include ephemeral objects, fabrication of inorganic objects, archaeological conservation, creating protective housings, and equity and inclusion in conservation and the broader cultural heritage field. As Associate Paper Conservator, Joanna Hurd assesses condition and treatment needs, documents findings in reports, and treats a wide range of objects, including works of art on paper and archival materials. Joanna spent five years exploring the different fields of conservation before specializing in paper conservation with a minor in photograph conservation in graduate school. She has since interned at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Weissman Preservation Center, and the American Philosophical Society. She is thrilled to continue evolving at the Center after enriching experiences as both an intern and post-graduate fellow. Joanna received an MS in Art Conservation from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation and a BA in Art History from Boston University. Recorded: September 21st, 2023