National Gallery of Art representatives visit SCAD Oct. 1

Published: September 17, 2008

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Imagine discovering the thought process of Peter Paul Rubens as he painted "The Fall of Phaeton" in the early 17th century, or determining which 20th century artworks will survive best as they age. Representatives from the National Gallery of Art will disclose these details and more in three lectures about art conservation, painting and art history. Michael Skalka, conservation administrator, Jay Krueger, senior conservator of modern paintings, and E. Melanie Gifford, research conservator for painting technology, will speak Wednesday, Oct. 1, at Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St.

Kicking off the lectures at 1 p.m., Michael Skalka will address common and obscure products available to artists in the 19th and 20th centuries in "Artists' Colormen: A Historical Overview of Purchasing Choices and Merchandising in the Art Materials Trade. "One of the most intriguing products marketed in the 1950s was called Tri-Tec," said Skalka. "It claimed to be a 'universal' set of colors that could be used straight from the tube like oil paints, diluted with water to create tempera or cut with even more water to turn it into watercolor."

At 4 p.m., Jay Krueger will present "Preparing for the Inevitable: Changes in Contemporary Art." He will show how incorporations of nontraditional art materials can have unforeseen consequences. Krueger will highlight works by Eva Hesse, Mark Rothko, Anselm Kiefer and discuss contemporary art programs and research initiatives at the National Gallery of Art.

During the 7 p.m. lecture, "Rubens' Creative Process in 'The Fall of Phaeton': A Technical Study," E. Melanie Gifford will present technical research including x-ray images and microscopic studies illuminating the artist's thinking process. An interactive Web feature will allow viewers to explore and study the painting as conservators do. This lecture is co-sponsored by the School of Foundation Studies and the Art History Lecture Series.

Lectures are in conjunction with SCAD's Art Materials Trade Show and are free and open to the public. At the trade show, more than 40 exhibitors will demonstrate the latest and best art materials, all of which will be for sale at discounted prices during the event. In addition, the trade show offers an exciting line-up of free seminars held throughout the week. For an additional fee, attendees may sign up for hands-on workshops taught by SCAD faculty. The trade show will take place at the River Club, 3 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Oct. 3-4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Proceeds from the trade show will go toward the SCAD scholarship fund.

For more information, including a schedule of events, visit www.scad.edu/tradeshow or call the SCAD conference department at 912.525.5220 or 866.859.3052. Media may call 912.525.4745.

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The Savannah College of Art and Design prepares talented students for professional, creative careers. SCAD is a private, nonprofit, accredited university that offers bachelor's and master's degrees through distinct yet complementary locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Ga., in Lacoste, France, and online through SCAD-eLearning.