Pre-seminar Day at Martin O’Brien Workshop - 237 South Broad St., Winston Salem, NC 27103
October 24th, 2024, 8:30am until 8:30pm (or longer)
Join us for a full day (meals included) of informal conversations, presentations and demonstrations by your colleagues. Everyone is encouraged to participate whether you have decades of experience or have no experience. Due to the small size of my studio, attendance is limited to 25 people.
So far on the schedule of events:
The day begins with each of you giving a 1 minute introduction consisting of your name, what you do and your favorite tool, material or technique, something you rely on frequently and could not do without. This is usually something simple, maybe a thing that has been ‘hacked’ (used for a purpose other than for what it was originally intended, think of all the uses a wire coat hanger has). This exercise was inspired by Phil Lowe who wrote about the multiple uses he had for the pencil always tucked behind his ear.
Rick Parker, a well-known conservator with 45+ years experience, has graciously offered to present slides and notes from the AIC Havana, Cuba study trip that took place in the early 2000’s.
Fred McLean, a private practice furniture restorer, will discuss materials and techniques for chemically altering the color of wood.
Peter Larson has offered to bring a piece of furniture for discussion and in-depth examination. His knowledge of Southern Furniture is as good as it gets.
My co-worker and I will present some techniques used on a recent treatment of an inlaid piece of furniture.
There are no rules or limits to what you can talk about or demonstrate, I encourage you to:
share a recent project (using power point or simply by talking)
share a technique (the shop is at your disposal)
ask a question or start a discussion
There will be a projector available for anyone who wishes to show slides/Power Point etc.
Please let me know as soon as possible if you wish to present something.
Who should attend?
Anyone is welcome, but most people who attend this event also attend the MESDA Furniture Seminar which starts the day after this event. For the past 15-20 years, attendees have primarily been private practice conservators and self-employed craftspeople interested in sharing ideas, techniques, materials and business practices. But, collectors, scholars and curators also attend. We particularly encourage those new to the field to attend. We are here to share. For more information on the MESDA event:
What does it cost?
$65.00 This simply covers the cost of food and drink (breakfast, lunch and dinner, we provide wine and beer also!). This is not a money making event for me, nor are any of the participants/speakers paid.
Payment will need to be made by Oct. 1st. so that we can have a head-count and purchase food. I suggest payment be made via check payable to Martin O’Brien and sent to: 237 South Broad St., Winston Salem, NC 27101
Payment can be made to Paypal but we ask that you add $5.00 to cover processing fees. (this would bring your cost to $70.00) It can be sent through Paypal to this e-mail address: martinjobrien@mac.com
I can also send you a request for payment through Paypal if you wish.
How to sign-up to attend:
Simply e-mail me saying you want to attend and your name will be on the list:
Due to the small size of my studio, attendance is limited to 25 people.
Please Note:
This event is the day before the MESDA Furniture Seminar
This event is not sponsored by MESDA. This event and the ones in years past came about due to requests from the conservators and other craftspeople (who attend the MESDA event) to have a less formal/more relaxed place to exchange ideas as well as demonstrate them. It started over two decades ago with a few of us simply retiring to my workshop (located within walking distance of MESDA) in between lectures so we could ‘decompress’ after sitting for so long. (craftspeople don’t do well when they can’t use their hands).
The lectures at MESDA are the best you’ll ever experience so you are strongly encouraged to attend the MESDA as well. Register here: https://mesda.org/program/furniture/
Food information:
Bottled and/or filtered water is available at all times.
Breakfast: breakfast sandwiches. There will be a coffeemaker running all day.
Lunch: Turkey Wraps, Ham Wraps and Vegetable wraps.
Dinner: Arroz en Paella (a Spanish rice dish cooked over an open fire). It will have sausage, chicken, and shell fish.
Wine and Beer will be provided with dinner. Feel free to bring any other beverage you want.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions/allergies. We are happy to accommodate.