AIC's 47th Annual Meeting

Spruce root basketry is common in museum collections featuring Tlingit, Haida, and Alutiiq/Sugpiaq cultures. Workshop participants will gain hands-on experience with the standard technique used to repair spruce root basketry (Japanense tissue/starch paste). This technique is also appropriate for other tightly-twined baskets and organic objects that require stresses to remain widely distributed after treatment. The workshop will allow participants to practice this technique on authentic basketry from the Alaska State Museum conservation research collection.

In addition to hands-on training, the workshop will provide information about the technology and structure of this type of basketry, as well as comparison of previous kinds of repairs found in museum collections. Participants will review the steps of spruce root harvesting, processing, and weaving, and consider the strengths and weaknesses of previous repair techniques. Discussion will include insights from a recent workshop with spruce root weaves to further the dialog about how conservators share knowledge and collaborate to balance conservation standards with cultural priorities.