Meet Me at the Goat Wash!

What is art conservation?  The conservators of Shelburne Museum are responsible for protecting the parts, colors, and surfaces of all 150,000 pieces within the Museum’s collection!  This week, I joined the Quack Pack during their visit to the conservation lab to meet Capricorn, a beautifully designed Dentzel carousel goat made in the early 1900s.  Nearly fifty years ago, a thin coat of linseed oil--an oil made from flax that is commonly used in treating and preserving wood--was put on Capricorn's body as a protective cover from time, harsh sunlight, as well as dust and dirt. Unfortunately, the linseed oil has done more harm than good! It has left a dark, grimy coat on his once-polished body. Here in the Conservation lab, intern Courtney is working hard to bring back Capricorn’s fine details and bright colors.

 

Figures like Capricorn can take up to forty days to clean! Here, I watch as Courtney removes dark linseed oil from Capricorn’s coat. After Capricorn’s transformation is complete, another Dentzel carousel figure from Shelburne Museum’s collection will receive the same makeover thanks to donors and interns like Courtney.  You can keep track of Capricorn’s transformation by checking in each week to his Flickr feed! 

Courtney’s favorite part of conservation is the element of discovery. What combination of gels and liquids will remove the dark brown linseed oil from Capricorn’s once-shiny coat? She tests and retests, carefully discovering mixes that bring out the best in the carousel goat.

Visit the Circus Building to view some recently restored circus figures! With three weeks left of his cleaning, Capricorn will return to his carousel pals in no time.

Webby's in Webb Gallery!

It can be tricky finding costumes that fit ducks like me.  Luckily, I found some fun and funky fashions at Shelburne Museum’s newest exhibit, Time Machines: Robots, Rockets and Steampunk at Webb Gallery.   There are two rooms in the gallery made especially for dressing up in either sci-fi gear or the best of steampunk gadgets.  First, I took a dive right into the sci-fi room.

Here I am, prepared to venture into the unknown with my trusty light saber and some dramatic background music.

Next I stumbled into the exciting world of steampunk. I wanted to invent my very own duck costume. Since I love to explore the museum grounds, I decided to be an old- fashioned aviator. What do you think would be more fun to fly: a hot air balloon, antique plane, or a floating boat?

I am ready for take off! How about you?  Be sure to check out Time Machines: Robots, Rockets, and Steampunk at the Webb Gallery.  Don’t forget to send me a picture of your costume creation at educationinterns@shelburnemuseum.org for the chance to see it on my blog!

Webby Visits the Print Shop

If you have not yet visited Shelburne Museum this season, then you have not seen my brand new "Web Cards," which are available at any of my sixteen Dive In sites around the grounds!  Each card lists my email address and my blog address, so you'll always know how to keep in touch with me. 

Other than being extremely useful, these neat cards were designed by the printers of Shelburne Museum's Ben Lane Print Shop.  Since it was such a beautiful day yesterday, I decided to visit the shop to see if they could print me some more.  Watch as Sally Foster prints my Web Cards on an antique print press.  Enjoy!

Meet the Quack Pack!

I'm very excited to present the Quack Pack:  my new flock of friends who have flown to Shelburne Museum to bring kid and family visitors a variety of fun things to do this summer.  

Below is each person's likes and interests.  If you like the same things as they do, be sure to let them know when you see them!

Name:  Callie L.

From:  East Fairfield, VT

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:  Phish Food

Best Place on the Grounds:  Print Shop. I love thinking about how our world has changed because of technology.

Cool fact:  Montpelier, VT is the only U.S. state capital without a McDonald’s.

Name:  Nina
From:  Chicago, IL

Favorite Ice Cream:  Cherry Garcia

Best Place on the Grounds:  Electra Havemeyer Webb Memorial Building. Impressionist paintings are my favorite.

Cool fact:  Impressionist artists were inspired to paint outside, or en plein air, when paint began to be sold in portable tubes.

Name:  Rocko

From:  Burlington, VT

Favorite Ice Cream:  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Best Place on the Grounds:  Pantry of the Prentis House. I love old cooking techniques!

Cool fact:  Sea stars have five eyes.

Name:  Callie F.

From:  Darien, CT

Favorite Ice Cream:  Chocolate & Vanilla Twist Creemee

Best Place on the Grounds:  The Café. That’s where the creemee machine is!

Cool fact:  A group of zebras is called a zeal.

Name:  Britt

From:  South Newfane, VT

Favorite Ice Cream:  Black Raspberry

Best Place on the Grounds:  Print Shop. I have a strong interest in graphics and old techniques.

Cool Fact:  I can touch my tongue to my nose!

Here are just a few of the many activities you'll see the Quack Pack helping out with this summer!

• Owl Cottage Activity Center:  June 18-August 12, 12-4 p.m.  Join Quack Pack members each week between June and August to enjoy a free and fun art activity  based on the Museum's collection and exhibitions. 
• Art on the Go Cart: June 18-August 12  Our bright blue Art on the Go Carts, stationed at Stagecoach Inn and Hat and Fragrance Gallery, are filled with art supplies, games, activities, and books for you to explore.  Join the Quack Pack on weekdays at 11 a.m. in Stagecoach Inn and 2 p.m. in Hat and Fragrance Gallery to participate in hands-on artmaking inspired by the museum's American Folk Art collection.
•  Sunsets:  Thursdays, June 21-August 9, 5-7 p.m. The Quack Pack thinks you and your family won't want to miss Once Upon a Time on July 5, Robots and Rockets on July 12, and Artscape on July 26.

Did You Find Me?

Thanks to Monica for guessing where I was hiding this week. Were you able to figure it out? I was hiding in Owl Cottage!  The picture I posted earlier this week was none other than one of the owl statues guarding the Owl Cottage entrance. 

I had so much fun hanging out at Owl Cottage this week!  While I wasn't playing with the toys or catching up on my reading, I was preparing brand new Dive In cards for the space!  At Owl Cottage, you can use my cards to explore the Museum's fantastic gardens, investigate five historic kitchens, or just see how closely all the toys connect to Shelburne Museum's huge collection.  What will interest you?  Look for my Owl Cottage Dive In cards next week!

For now, take a look at some of the great pictures I found in Owl Cottage's craft room.  They were made by some really creative kids! 

Would you like your art to be displayed on my blog? Send me a picture of your artwork to educationinterns@shelburnemuseum.org and I will post it on my blog for everyone to see.  Don't forget to put your name on it!

Where's Webby?

Webby is hiding in one of the buildings on Shelburne Museum's grounds.  Using the picture clue below, can you discover Webby's whereabouts?

Think you have solved the mystery?  Post your answer in the comments section.  Webby will reveal himself, and his latest project, in a blog post later this week.

Good luck!