This will be another in our series of exhibit scenario based workshops. For each of these workshops, we tailor the “exhibit” to the collections interests of the participants. This gives the opportunity for persons from diverse museum types to work on appropriate materials, as well as for more or less experienced people to work with objects that match their skill level.

This five-day workshop will present the theoretical concepts and practical techniques of mountmaking for museum objects, set within a framework of an actual exhibit display. A “curated” set of objects will be selected for mounting in a defined space and exhibit design. Through this format, the intention is to present the practical problems of mounting objects for safe installation and aesthetic display while maintaining appropriate levels of care and conservation.

The workshop will explore the how and why of museum exhibit mountmaking with an emphasis on object safety and preventive conservation. This object centered approach will teach methods for analyzing objects for their condition and balance, making templates for accurate mount fabrication, and the construction of mounts in brass and steel, plastics, and other materials. Engineering concepts and their application to mountmaking and hands-on practice in metal forming, silver brazing, mechanical fastenings, and other fabrication techniques will be integral to the workshop.