Jamie Hascall

Jamie Hascall has been a mountmaker for over 25 years, working in both private and major institutional settings across the western US and Canada. He became acquainted with the art of mountmaking while working at the Burke Museum during his Museology studies at the University of Washington, culminating in a Master of Arts degree in 1994. His most recent project was training a four-person crew at the new Alaska State Museum in Juneau. After training the staff, he returned for four more visits to build mounts and install exhibits at this beautiful new facility. The museum opened June 6th, 2016.

Jamie’s lifelong interest in tinkering and repair, and previous career in fine woodworking, provided the solid grounding in tools, materials, and three dimensional thinking that has informed his craft. Studies in conservation and non-toxic insect pest management have also contributed to his holistic philosophy of exhibit execution and collections care. Jamie has given presentations on mountmaking projects and methods before the International Mountmaking Forums and the Western Association for Art Conservation (WAAC). He has been published in the Journal of the American Institute of Conservation (AIC).

At this point in his career, Jamie’s focus is on the education and training of a new generation of museum professionals to replace the outgoing stream of senior staff. He’s also continuing to search for new and better methods and materials to further the art of mountmaking. On-site instruction, as well as workshops at Mountmaking Focus Studio in Seattle are both available. Please contact us for details.

Significant projects include:

  • Seattle Art Museum: New Downtown Museum 1992
  • Seattle Asian Art Museum: Complete renovation and re-installation 1994
  • Smithsonian Institution: Seismic stabilization consulting for major traveling exhibit “America’s Smithsonian” 1995
  • Washington State History Museum: New Museum 1996
  • Thomas Burke Museum, University of Washington: Major renovation 1997
  • The Vancouver Art Gallery: Trainer and mountmaker for “Down From The Shimmering Sky” exhibition of NW Coast native masks. 1998
  • Mountmaker in Private Practice. 1998-2006
  • Museums of New Mexico, Santa Fe: Chief preparator/mountmaker 2006-2013Jamie_3526_MR