Resume

Education

Work Experience

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION ARCHIVES, Washington, DC
Post-Graduate Fellow in Conservation
September 2009–Present
  • Conducting a year-long research project investigating the conservation treatment options for letterpress copying books. This project includes a condition survey of 80 volumes of copying books, interviews with leaders in the conservation field, technical analysis, and experimental treatments with prepared samples.
  • Perform conservation treatments on SIA collections as well as other Smithsonian archival collections.
  • Participate in consultations for collegues within the Smithsonian Institution as well as the general public.
  • Train and supervised volunteers to assist in preservation efforts such as re-housing and surface cleaning.
  • Conduct tours of the conservation lab for visiting colleagues and institutional open houses.
  • Attend professional meetings, lectures, and symposia.
HARRY RANSOM HUMANITIES RESEARCH CENTER, Austin, TX
Conservation Volunteer, Book, Paper, and Photograph Conservation Labs
September 2007–May 2009
  • Surveyed, proposed and performed conservation treatments on 19th century photographic albums, a variety of paper documents, and gelatin silver developing-out prints.
  • Produced written and photographic documentation before, during, and after treatment.
  • Created custom archival quality housings using an ultrasonic welder.
LOUISIANA STATE MUSEUM, New Orleans, LA
Curator of Visual Arts
February 2004–November 2005
  • Researched and documented visual arts collection of over 80,000 artifacts.
  • Proposed and curated exhibits using LSM collections and loans from private collectors and institutions.
  • Assessed conservation needs, and proposed and justified conservation treatments.
  • Performed minor repairs and contracted outside conservators for major treatments.
  • Assisted researchers and answered public inquiries.
  • Proposed and justified acquisitions based on assessment of collecting priorities and fair market values.
  • Updated collection inventory, catalogueing information, and condition reports using TMS database program.
  • Conducted private viewings and tours of exhibits and storage facilities.
  • Prioritized and directed ongoing digitization project using state-of-the-art Cruse scanner.
  • Developed and implemented strategy for collection-wide move to new storage facility.
BUILDING CONSERVATION ASSOCIATES, New York, NY
Archivist
Oct. 2001–December 2003, November 2005–September 2006
  • Created and developed photo archive database of 300 architectural preservation projects with information and analysis from conservators to allow for research on similar architectural conditions, treatments and materials by narrowing over one million photographs into searchable, user-friendly software.
  • Trained staff in use of database software and assessed success rate by user response.
  • Designed and implemented user-friendly, dynamic interface database software program.
  • Conducted weekly meetings with project managers/conservators to assess project needs and priorities.
  • Researched building histories for project data entry.
NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART, New Orleans, LA
Museum Preparator
June 1999–Jan. 2000
  • Worked closely with curator and registrar in installation, maintenance, and disassembly of exhibits.
  • Implemented new filing system of Works on Paper permanent collection.
  • Matted and framed works of art on paper for exhibition.
NEW ORLEANS CONSERVATION GUILD, New Orleans, LA
Conservation Technician, Paintings
Oct. 1998–May 1999
  • Assessed the condition of paintings and proposed and performed conservation treatments.
  • Cleaned, lined, filled, varnished, and inpainted oil paintings on canvas.
  • Recorded written and photographic documentation before and after treatment.
GALLIER HOUSE MUSEUM, New Orleans, LA
Curatorial Intern
Jan. 1996–May 1996
  • Researched, developed, and installed museum exhibits.
  • Catalogued new acquisitions.

Presentation and Teaching Experience

Awards

Workshops, Lectures, and Conferences Attended

  • LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, TOPICS IN PRESERVATION SERIES (TOPS)
    "Dev. and research applications for a ref. collection of 20th century photo paper," by Paul Messier, March, 2010
  • NATIONAL ARCHIVES & RECORDS ADMINISTRATION
    Plan for Preservation Conference: Assess, Prioritize, and Manage, March, 2010
  • GUILD OF BOOKWORKERS, Potomac Chapter
    Tips & Tricks Workshop, Folger Shakespeare Library, February, 2010
  • SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION ARCHIVES
    AV Preservation Workshop, September, 2009
  • SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION ARCHIVES
    SI Photo Summit: A Colloquium on the Mellon Photographic Survey, September, 2009
  • AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION
    Annual Meeting: Denver, CO, May 2008; Los Angeles, CA, May, 2009
  • KILGARLIN CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
    From Grey Areas to Green Areas: Developing Sustainable Practices in Preservation Environments, November, 2007
  • CAMPBELL CENTER FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION
    Care of Paper, Summer, 2004
  • AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS
    Annual Meeting: New Orleans, LA, May 2004
  • NEW ORLEANS ACADEMY OF FINE ART
    Oil Painting, Life Drawing, and Portraiture, 1993 - 2000