Ignite Sessions

 

 

Session Title:

The Dirt on Rammed Earth: Collections Care from the Ground up

 

Presenter:

Tiffany Taylor, Collections Assistant (The OPP Museum)

 

Session Description:

This session will inspire innovative, progressive ideas in sustainable architecture, specifically rammed earth technology. It will highlight the latest research in the safety and stability of how insulated rammed earth buildings and their ability to create stable environments for artifacts. This session will reveal how this construction method can mitigate major agents of deterioration as outlined by the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI). Both ancient and current examples of rammed earth construction, from the Great Wall of China to the Centre D’interprétation du Patrimoine Archéologique de Dehlingen, will demonstrate the benefits of this sustainable custom design option for cultural heritage.

 

Session Slides: 

Download the Presentation Slides [ PDF ]

Session Title:

Embracing the Drama: The Collingwood Museum's Collaborative Aproach to History Through Theatre

 

Presenter:

Melissa Shaw, Museum Assistant (Collingwood Museum)

 

Session Description:

For three exciting years, the Collingwood Museum has partnered with a highly successful local theatre company, Gaslight Theatre Productions. Each year a sell-out event called Gaslight Tour takes over 650 participants on a guided tour of Collingwood’s downtown. The Tour features theatrical performances inspired by the people and themes of Collingwood’s past. Local, amateur actors bring the stories to life over the course of four days, and twenty-five performances. In Gaslight Tour’s inaugural year, the Collingwood Museum was a host site for one of the four plays. In 2014, the Museum’s gallery was again transformed into a performance space that raised a number of challenges for staff, the least of which included open flames in the building and mud being purposefully rubbed on costumes worn within the building. In overcoming such challenges, staff came to the often difficult realizations that museums need to be adaptable and functional community spaces which encourage the community’s active participation. Tackling this hurdle was a difficult task for staff; however, the feedback from the community was encouraging and we look forward to embracing the drama with Gaslight Tour in future years.

 

Session Slides: 

Download the Presentation Slides [ PDF ]

Presenter Biographies:

 

Tiffany Taylor Collections Assistant (The OPP Museum)

Tiffany Taylor's love of dirt stems from her first love, archaeology. She received her (Hons) B.A. in Near Eastern Archaeology from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2006. Her interests expanded into Museology and she earned her M.A. in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester, acquiring a soft spot for preventative conservation. She currently wears many hats at The OPP Museum working as Collections Assistant. Her personal interest in alternative health and fostering healthy, sustainable spaces feeds her newest passion - researching the use of revamped earth construction in creating safe, enduring spaces for museum professionals and collections alike.

 

Melissa Shaw Museum Assistant (Collingwood Museum)

Melissa Shaw has been with the Collingwood Museum in the position of museum assistant for eight years, and has been an active participant in the heritage sector since 2005.   A graduate of the University of Waterloo and Queen’s University, Melissa holds her BA and MA degrees in English Literature, with a history minor. Melissa is also a graduate of the Ontario Museum Association’s Certificate in Museum Studies program. Melissa prides herself in being actively involved in Collingwood’s arts and cultural sector and strives to create meaningful and lasting relationships with local organizations and community members through exhibition and programming opportunities.