Caring for your treasures

The first certificate course in "Caring for Your Treasures and Historic Buildings" organised by the Institute for Conservation and Restoration Studies (ICRS) of the Malta Centre for Restoration (MCR) came to a successful close last Friday.

The course consisted of 14 morning sessions lectured by MCR's Maltese and foreign experts who have been professionally trained in the field. It attracted a varied audience consisting of participants from Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, St John's Foundation, Heritage Malta and Conservatorio Vincenzo Bugeja, together with private collectors and other people interested in cultural heritage.

ICRS had long felt the need to extend its professional expertise to help all those in charge of collections/historic buildings - whether private, state, church or conventual - to safeguard their treasures. Last December it launched its first certificate course in "Caring for your Treasures and Historic Buildings" to start explaining in layman's terms how one can look after one's treasured possessions.

The course introduced general notions relating to care of collections and historic buildings including: the importance of knowing what you have; the effects of climate, light, moisture, ventilation, heating, storage, handling and transport methods; display; housekeeping and maintenance; knowing what is possible to do yourself and when the professional conservator needs to be called in.

Through the various sessions, organised according to the material or type of artefact or monument, participants received authoritative and practical advice on paintings; ceramic, glass, metal and stone objects; textile artefacts; books and works of art on paper; furniture and historic buildings.

Lectures were aimed to help owners and custodians recognise and deal with the problems relating to the preservation of their artefacts and monuments. They provided an insight into how to care for collections and historical buildings, and gave tips to help reduce risks.

Participants became aware that learning how to care for one's treasures is an important investment. Moreover, they realised that through this course they could add value to their collections/historic buildings and are now in a better position to enjoy such treasures and ensure that these will be passed on for others to enjoy in the future.

Following the success of this pilot course, ICRS is again offering the certificate course in "Caring for Your Treasures and Historic Buildings", this time as an evening course. The course will take place at the MCR, Bighi, Kalkara on 14 Wednesdays from March 9 to June 22, between 5.30 and 7 p.m.

Included in the course fee of Lm80 (Lm50 for students and the elderly) is a start-up pack and reading/tip lists. Since there are limited places applicants are advised to book their place by applying and sending the course fee at their earliest convenience. The closing date for applications is March 4. Please note that the course will not run with fewer than 15 applicants.

For further information please call: 2180-7675/6 Ext 206/236 or write to mcaruana@mcr.edu.mt or spollacco@mcr.edu.mt, or visit the MCR Website at www.mcr.edu.mt