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Kim Mills

This two-day introductory course covers the basics of identifying and valuing Oriental rugs. Students explore the historic and geographic development of Oriental rugs, learn to identify the major rug groups including Turkish, Caucasian, Persian and Central Asian, as well as major motifs, designs and color trends. Students are taught to discern if a rug being appraised is hand-knotted or machine-made through the study of rug structure, weaving techniques and dyes, and learn methods for dating rugs, as well as identifying damages and alterations. Finally, they learn what impact on value, if any, these elements have on various rug types.

Applies to the following certificate program (18 contact hours): AS-E

Louise T. Hall

Brian Tierney, Alexandra Allardt

Appraisers, collectors and connoisseurs alike should understand how the aesthetic and market value of an object can be impacted by the quantity and quality of the restoration and conservation process. This one-day course defines the differences between conservation and restoration and introduces participants to the methods, techniques and challenges of both. Alexandra Allardt, Principal and Managing Director of Artcare Resources, a firm that offers a broad range of conservation services to both institutions and private clients, gives an overview of conservation methodology, and discuss projects in both the fine and decorative arts. The class visits the conservation studios of The RISD Museum, meeting Head Conservator Ingrid Neuman and Paper Conservator Linda Catano, who speak about conserving the collection and show us works in progress. Note: Limited enrollment.

Applies to the following certificate program (8 contact hours): AS-E

Louise T. Hall

Corinne Cain, Kateri Weiss

This two-day seminar introduces participants to Native American basketry, pottery, textiles, beadwork and personal adornment items, with an emphasis on identifying work through corresponding techniques, materials, forms and decorations. Students learn how to determine age and condition of Native American arts and crafts, distinguish the differences between pieces of each category and how to qualitatively judge pieces. Students are taught to recognize work by the best-known producers of various tribes and styles, and how to prepare effective descriptive information and condition reports. Conservation issues of Native American art are also discussed.

Applies to the following certificate program (18 contact hours): AS-E

Robin Wiseman

Vincent van Gogh's visionary paintings are vivid expressions of his conviction that the goal of painting is to convey human emotion. Though he was a self-taught artist working in obscurity, in a span of only ten years van Gogh (Dutch, 1853-1890) created a wealth of richly colored, textured paintings that have profoundly influenced art in our time. His insistence on the use of expressive values of color led him to develop a corresponding expressiveness in his application of paint. His thick, motion-filled brush strokes create a tactile counterpart to his intense color schemes as they create intense direction, movement and texture. Most of the work for which he is known dates from the last three years of his life, which ended tragically in suicide at age 37.

Applies to the following certificate program (2 contact hours): AS-E

TBA TBA

For centuries, people have tried to use lenses to capture their world on paper. But not until the period 1826 to 1840 was this possibility realized. Surprisingly, what began as scientific venture ultimately became a tool for art and culture. Indeed, the world of photography expanded exponentially as George Eastman gave everyone a chance to bring photography into his or her life. Later, with motion and sound added, photography became inextricably linked to every part of life, from the news of the world and visions of the unseen to exploration of the universe beyond. Photographic images have helped to mold public opinion, from the realm of politics to seismic shifts in fashion. At the same time, artist-photographers have continued their efforts to broaden what photography can do as a medium. This course covers all these facets and more of what is surely the "liveliest art."

Applies to the following certificate programs (18 contact hours): AS-E, DI-R

Robin Wiseman

Painter and decorative artist Alphonse Mucha (Czechoslovakian, 1860-1939) is considered the preeminent artist of the Art Nouveau movement. Mucha, along with his contemporary Toulouse-Lautrec, greatly influenced the future of poster art. His sensuous images, combining intricate floral designs, flowing patterns and attractive women, were visible everywhere in Paris during the Belle Epoque -- on theater posters, boxes of sweets, menus and magazine covers. In this class, we look at how Mucha's work helped establish the remarkable effectiveness with which beauty can be exploited to promote commerce, while also paying tribute to his work's ability to transcend its original intent.

Applies to the following certificate program (2 contact hours): AS-E

Robert Cagnetta

Historic structures evolve through time. Such buildings are a collection of structure, mechanical systems and finishes, which have worked in concert to provide function and an aesthetic presentation. This course outlines the tools and techniques used to identify a historic building's needs and leads to an understanding of how historic buildings work, how they change, how they react to their environment and how they wear and age. Participants learn how to engage with a building's history, identify and date materials, and work with contractors and specialists toward developing appropriate preservation methodologies and treatment recommendations. We also review the challenges of retrofitting, altering and upgrading historic structures, focusing on the long-term ramifications of such changes and how they may impact the underlying structure.

Applies to the following certificate program: HP-R