The PACIN
website speaks for itself -
www.pacin.org . Please go there
while reading this article, because the variety of information
on the reinvented website is astounding. With two clicks, we
are seeing the notes from a November 2008 Arthandling Workshop
in Los Angeles featuring Kevin Marshall, Head Preparator at
the Getty Villa; Joe Fronek, Paintings Conservator at LACMA
Conservation Center; and Jacqueline Cabrera, Assoc Registrar
at the Getty Villa, (among many experts) reviewing the latest
in Arthandling Basics. With another click on the new Featured
Link, we are reviewing a list of videos documenting how the
National Museum of the American Indian moved their collection.
I especially like the feature on Barcoding Equipment. On the
same PACIN Homepage, we see features on ‘Tools/ Scissors’,
‘Basics: Moving Crates’, and the unusual ‘Case
Roller’ by Mark Slattery, Senior Arthandling Technician
at the National Gallery in London.
The man responsible for guiding the new PACIN is Brent Powell,
Head of Preparation at the Asian Art Museum/ San Francisco and
the new PACIN Chair. This is Brent’s second stint as Chairperson,
and we wanted to ask him more about the organization.
The man responsible
for guiding the new PACIN is Brent Powell, Head of Preparation
at the Asian Art Museum/ San Francisco and the new PACIN Chair.
This is Brent’s second stint as Chairperson, and we wanted
to ask him more about the organization.
ICEFAT:
It looks like you have some of the best talent in the art-handling
field featured on the website. How are you connecting with these
people and how difficult has it been to get them to participate?
Brent:
We are extremely excited about the talented people who are helping
with the website articles and other publications. They are mostly
colleagues we have worked with over the years or referrals from
friends within the museum industry.
The technical
side of the arthandling profession is often not in the limelight.
But professionals want to share their ideas as well as to learn
from others, and it is this exchange of creativity that is central
to the mission of the PACIN group.
ICEFAT:
Has the Internet helped open new communications possibilities?
What audience are you hoping to attract/ find with the website?
Brent:
The PACIN Website has been extremely successful in reaching
out and
finding individuals whom we "do not know", as well
as establishing a hub for sharing and archiving information.
Before the PACIN Website was established we relied mainly on
mailings, newsletters, and word of mouth. What we have now is
far superior.
Over the
last 8 months the PACIN Website has been redesigned to include
new graphics, articles, and links relating to equipment, materials,
educational opportunities, and employment. As always I invite
everyone to log on and have a look at what has changed, and
participate by contributing to the resource topics. For more
information regarding the Website, or interest in contributing
an article, contact Ashley McGrew, PACIN Publications Chair
at AMcGrew@getty.edu.
ICEFAT:
You have made it clear that you want to continually refresh
the PACIN Board with new talent, both from museums and the for-profit
industry. How is that progressing?
Brent:
The reason is simple: new blood and growth. PACIN has evolved
since it was first established in 1990, but is ready for change
and innovation. The vision I am implementing and a new group
of board members will be essential to realize our mission. PACIN
is being restructured to be more efficiently managed by a committee
of 5: Chair, Vice Chair and three Sub Committee Heads.
The other
major change is organizing a non-voting Advisory Board of 10,
composed of a cross- section of individuals from the museum
profession and the commercial sector. The interest in this change
has been dramatic and will be announced at the AAM Meeting in
Philadelphia.
ICEFAT:
How did you get involved again in the governance of PACIN?
Brent:
I resigned as PACIN Chair in 1999, after serving since 1992.
I carefully followed the group's growth and became a Steering
Committee member again in 2004. After living and working in
Australia, I wanted to re-join the group, and offered to return
as PACIN Chair, but I clearly stated that I wanted to change
and refocus the organization. I appreciate the present Steering
Committee’s desire to take the next step.
As I said,
professional arthandlers are not always in the spotlight. Many
of us network and seek out the latest and best ideas. I do this
as part my career and enjoy being able to help other colleagues
in this pursuit. All in all, the mission of PACIN as a Professional
Interest Committee of AAM is a good fit for me.
ICEFAT:
Thank you, Brent.
Mike
Hascall
Project Manager/ Owner
Artech Fine Art Services
