Lately in conversations with colleagues as well as new mountmakers a familiar subject comes up. As older master mountmakers are beginning to retire and step away from institutions and independent businesses, who is replacing them? Does this new generation have access to real and meaningful training to become master mountmakers?

This was also a problem for me coming up 20 years ago. Seeking out classes or books in a relative void. Benchmark would have a class every 4-5 years it seemed. Literature was laughably sparce, or 30 years outdated. I've even experienced my fair share of gatekeeping. Gross.

When talking to beginners the last few weeks, I hear the same complaints that I had 20 years ago. Recent searches for a master mountmaker that can do independent traveling gigs has bore such little fruit I'm officially being proactive about this gulf.

Before I begin to solidify fixes, I REALLY want…

Hi all, long time lurker here. Forever grateful that this safe space exists for all us wayward mount makers scattered around the world. IMF has kept me in touch, informed and motivated whenever toiling away in my dark, little corner of the museum.

My question, is there any update to the Who/What/Where the next IMF Conference will be?

Aloha

Jason

Is there anyone out there that can build mounts on an as needed basis?

Hello-

The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum is looking to engage a contract mount maker to support mount making for an exhibition currently slated to open in February (date likely to change once the government re-opens). The RFQ and Statement of Work are attached to this note. Feel free to email me at baracks@si.edu with questions.

Thank you,

Sarah Barack

Head of Conservation, Senior Objects Conservator

Hi Everyone-

Our Online Forum page went through a few updates recently! As things transitioned, you might have received a few emails notifing that you were added to a specific topic group. Everyone who is subsribed to the IMF website was added to all the existing topic groups- this way you will be notified when there is a new posting. You can opt out of any of the topic groups ant any time! If you experience any issues with the new webpage, please let us know!

IMF Team

Scott Newell (NHMLA➡️LMNA) turned me on to these beauties. Milled down to perfection for the repairing of saxophones I believe.

So many tight bends, so little time. J'adore! Thanks Scott!

Hey all you beautiful geniuses out there. I have a potential scheduling conflict for a mountmaking and installation project. First pass it looks to be around 150-200 objects.

Looking for an available traveling mountmaker to work under the Spark and Anvil umbrella. Here's the rub though, I need a proposal like yesterday. Which will be tons of fun as there are a few unknowns and vagaries.

There's a NDA to be signed before details can be given, but we can discuss some details to see of it's a good fit for you.

So, who's hungry for prestige and glory!? Huzzah!

Yours,

James

Bowdoin’s Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum collects, studies, and exhibits Arctic-related collections, educating audiences, sharing knowledge, and generating excitement about Arctic and Subarctic regions. Established in 1967, the museum is named after Arctic explorers and Bowdoin graduates Robert E. Peary and Donald B. MacMillan. Three years ago, it moved into the John and Lile Gibbons Center for Arctic Studies, a new building that houses museum offices, a workshop, galleries, a lab, and classrooms.Under the direction of the Exhibit Coordinator, the Exhibit Technician assists with the development, fabrication, installation, deinstallation, and maintenance of the Arctic Museum exhibits. Responsible for the safe handling and display of objects, and the design and fabrication of exhibit object mounts. Coordinates building maintenance activities with Arctic Museum and Facilities staff.

Essential Functions:

• Constructs temporary walls, platforms, and casework based on exhibit design drawings; applies various surface finishes; mounts labels and graphics, mats and frames flat artwork; installs and…

We are looking to add to our team! Please consider applying to this position or share with others that you consider a good fit.

Here is the link to the posting