The first step to conservation

If you have ever thought of taking up conservation but did not know where to start, an introductory course on conservation will start on Monday at the Malta Centre for Restoration.

The day course will be held Mondays to Fridays at the MCR and will be in English. The fee for students is Lm30 and others Lm60. The course will run between next Monday and August 5.

The course, which has no age limit, serves as an awareness course and former students have included school leavers, housewives, engineers, bank employees, science and art students.

The course also prepares students for the entrance exam to the four-year BCons (Hons) degree course in conservation and restoration studies. Apart from a pass in the entrance exam, students would require an A level in chemistry.

Martina Caruana, director of studies said: "The introductory course will give a general overview of what conservation is. This involves the contribution of different specialists such as scientists, art historians, archaeologists, architects, documentalists and conservators.

"The students feel the course has been an eye-opener in the sense that they realise that conservation is not a craft.

"Conservation is a field that requires much study, ethics, an eye for detail, patience and the willingness to discover. Certain students realised that conservation was the line they would take up for further study."

Those students who complete the course will be awarded a certificate of attendance.

"This is the sixth year of the course but the 10th edition and has attracted several hundreds of local and foreign participants. Like the degree course in conservation and restoration studies Bcons (Hons), this introductory course features an equal element of theory and practice.

"The practical side involves tasks related to four areas of studies ranging from paintings and ceramics, and textiles to books and paper," Dr Caruana said. For further information contact Sean Pollacco on 2180 7675/6 extension 236. introcourse@mcr.edu.mt