2023 Houston, TX
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Western Association for Art Conservation : WAAC
49th Annual Meeting
Houston, TX
November 6-8
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Thank you for joining us!
Location
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Our 2023 Annual Meeting will be held in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Brown Auditorium, in Houston’s Museum District. The conference hotel – Hotel ZaZa Houston, is walking distance to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Cullen Sculpture Garden, Contemporary Arts Museum, Asia Society, Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Museum of African American Culture, and a short distance from Moody Center for the Arts, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Fotofest, Hermann Park, James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace and more!
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Please note: Covid-19 still is amongst us.
Please be aware of the CDC’s most recent guidelines.
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Meeting Overview
​(see details on tours and workshops below, fees on registration form)
Sunday, November 5th:
Visionary Art Tour of Houston
Community Outreach: Space Center Houston SKYLAB
Welcome Reception at Hungry’s “Upstairs” in Rice Village, 6-9 PM
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Monday, November 6th:
Conference talks held at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston - Law Building
Vendor Exhibits
Silent Auction Begins
Tours of MFAH Conservation and Latin American Art Galleries
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Tuesday, November 7th:
Conference Talks held at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston - Law Building
Vendor Exhibits
Silent Auction
Tours of MFAH Conservation
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James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace
​WAAC Banquet at Picos
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Wednesday, November 8th:
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Morning:
Conference Talks held at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston - Law Building
Business Meeting
Vendor Exhibits
Tours of MFAH Conservation
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Afternoon:
Tours of Menil Collection Conservation and the Menil Drawing Institute
Menil exhibition spaces are all open and free to the public.
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Self-guided tours nearby the Menil Collection campus:
Houston Center for Photography, Rothko Chapel,
the Transart Foundation for Art and Anthropology, Sicardi Gallery,
Philip Johnson architecture at the University of St. Thomas
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Closing Reception at 93' Til (near the Menil Collection pictured at right)
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Thursday, November 9th:
Workshop: Introductory Genealogy
Workshop: Watercolor Materials and Techniques
Tour: Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston
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Box lunches are available during the first two meeting days. The museum is closed, and the lunches will be served in the café, with an option to eat in the sculpture garden. There will be a variety of options available to choose from and those with dietary restrictions can make special arrangements in advance. Due to the short lunch breaks it is recommended to take advantage of this option. The café is normally closed on Monday and Tuesday, so there will not be on site options other than pre-ordered box lunches.
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Silent Auction
ATTENTION ALL: Remember to bring stuff for the Silent Auction !!! We already have a good selection of books. Tools, materials, crafts, etc. are all welcome.
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Thank You To Our Sponsors!
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Tours & Workshops
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Sunday, November 5
Our Beloved Tropical Junkyard: A Visionary Art Tour of Houston
11 AM - 5:30 PM
It is no secret that Houston can be a challenge to visitors; the never-ending humidity and visual chaos is not for the faint of heart. In the words of local architectural historian Stephen Fox, “Houston is a mess. It is and always has been. That is its scandal and its charm." For an introduction to the scandalous, charming mess of Houston, WAAC members will be spending Sunday afternoon on a guided bus tour focusing on perhaps the city’s most unique treasure - the work of self-taught artists and visionary art environments. Ranging from the Orange Show (a hand built amusement park dedicated to the power of a vitamin C) to the self-explanatory Beer Can House, the tour will also include a museum dedicated to Houston’s world-famous Art Car phenomena and a tour of a phenomenal private collection of visionary art. There is more…
Tour Leader: Larry Harris is an architect, photographer, art collector, and native Houstonian. His website www.narrowlarry.com is dedicated to the documentation / awareness of both visionary art environments as well as modern architecture throughout the United States.​
Attendee limit: 30
Community Outreach Project: Space Center Houston SKYLAB
Departing Hotel ZaZa at 8:30 AM, returning 4:00 PM
WAAC will partner with Space Center Houston staff to do a condition survey of Skylab Training Module storage compartment contents of experiments, food, medical supplies and general supplies necessary for living in space for long periods of time. Created out of the final stage of a Saturn V rocket, this habitable spacecraft trained all astronauts that took part in Skylab missions. The trainer was decommissioned and the museum gallery built around the spacecraft without removing training materials used by the astronauts. The contents of over 70 storage compartments will be opened, recorded and assessed for condition. Two teams of 4-6 conservators each will work with SCH staff. We are looking for a maximum of 12 volunteers. All disciplines are encouraged to take part. Transportation and lunch will be provided by SCH.
Contact Steve Pine for more information.
Attendee limit: 12
Monday, November 6
Morning Walk / Jogg in Hermann Park
Hotel Zaza is directly across the street from Houston’s historic Hermann Park
Join fellow WAAC members for a morning jaunt through the park.
WAAC Secretary and native Houstonian Rachel Mochon will lead the way.
Tour of the Latin American Art Galleries of the MFAH
Mari Carmen Ramírez, Wortham Curator of Latin American Art at the MFAH and founding director
of the International Center for the Arts of the Americas (ICAA) and Arden Decker, Associate Director
will lead a tour through the current installation.
Attendee limit: 40, 2 Groups of 20
Museum of Fine Arts Houston Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation
Per Knutås will lead a tour of the conservation center, featuring Paintings, Frames, Textiles and
Objects & Sculpture studios.
​Attendee limit: 20
Tuesday, November 7
Morning Walk / Jogg in Hermann Park
Hotel Zaza is directly across the street from Houston’s historic Hermann Park
Join fellow WAAC members for a morning jaunt through the park.
WAAC Secretary and native Houstonian Rachel Mochon will lead the way.
Museum of Fine Arts Houston Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation
Per Knutås will lead a tour of the conservation center, featuring Paintings, Frames, Textiles and
Objects & Sculpture studios.
Attendee limit: 20, this tour will take place during a portion of the lunch break. Box lunch recommended.
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Wednesday, November 8
Morning Walk / Jogg in Hermann Park
Hotel Zaza is directly across the street from Houston’s historic Hermann Park
Join fellow WAAC members for a morning jaunt through the park.
WAAC Secretary and native Houstonian Rachel Mochon will lead the way.
Museum of Fine Arts Houston Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation
Per Knutås will lead a tour of the conservation center, featuring Paintings, Frames, Textiles and
Objects & Sculpture studios.
Attendee limit: 20, this tour will take place during a portion of the lunch break. Box lunch recommended.
Menil Collection Conservation Studio, Main building
Cory Rogge will lead tours of the paintings, objects, framing and imaging spaces in the main museum building.
Attendee limit: 15 per tour – 2:00, 3:00, 4:00
Menil Drawing Institute
Jan Burandt will lead tours of the Menil Drawing Institute, study room and paper conservation studio, the tour will include a viewing with Assistant Curator Kelly Montana of her exhibition: Hanne Darboven: Writing Time.
Attendee limit: 15 per tour – 2:00, 3:00, 4:00
Thursday, November 9
Workshop: Introductory Genealogy Workshop
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm (adjusted actual time, registration form incorrect)
Melissa Hayes, Assistant Branch Manager will present a workshop designed to build a
foundation for genealogy research.
Houston Public Library | Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus
5300 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77004 (short walk from Hotel ZaZa)
The library is open until 7pm for continued research and consultation.
Attendee limit: 20
Tour: Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston
Departing Hotel Zaza at 9:00AM, returning 2:30PM
Join us for a VIP tour of Johnson Space Center Rocket Park, Building 9 Astronaut Training Facility and Apollo Mission Control. The VIP tour will begin at 9:30 and conclude at 11:00 followed by lunch (on your own) and time to tour the Space Center Houston museum exhibits concluding at 2:00. For details of the incredible exhibits chronicling the US Space Program in the museum visit their website.
Note family members are welcome on this tour, but the minimum age set by NASA is 14. Travel from Hotel Zaza and back from SCH will be provided.
Attendee limit: 30
Workshop: Watercolor Materials and Techniques Workshop
9:30 am – 1 pm Workshop / 2 – 4 pm Drawing Study Room
This hands-on experience aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the tools, materials, papers, and a diverse range of techniques commonly used in watercolors. Explore the inherent qualities of watercolor and how different materials impact application, potentially influencing an artist’s creative process. Learn how artists manipulate techniques like scratching and stopping-out to create unique effects.The workshop at the Watercolor Art Society will include a lecture segment that lays the groundwork for the techniques. Additionally, a bibliography covering watercolor’s development, history and conservation will be provided. During the workshop you will have the chance to create a small painting and a watercolor technique reference sheet to use as a guide for future identification of watercolors that you may encounter. Materials and supplies will be provided on-site.
After the morning session and a lunch break (on your own), the Menil Drawing Institute’s Janie C Lee Drawing Room will be open for a close examination and discussion of a selection of watercolor drawings from the Menil Collection.
Instructor: Carla Gauthier, Artist and Instructor at Watercolor Art Society of Houston, has taught classes ranging from advanced watercolor techniques to workshops on topics like Limiting Your Palette and Architectural Details. She is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and an Elite Member of the Watercolor Art, Society Houston. She has shown with these and other organizations in regional, national and international exhibitions, and has work in art collections in Canada, U.S. and Europe.
Organizer: Abby Schleicher, is the current Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Paper Conservation at the Menil Collection. During graduate school she completed a masters project that encompassed the history, development, scientific analysis and treatment of a 19th century watercolor. She continues to explore the complexities of applied media on paper and their conservation.
Attendee limit: 25
Where to stay?
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WAAC has secured a group rate at the lovely Hotel ZaZa in the heart of the Museum District, just steps from Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the METRORail.
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The booking link below is to reserve your room within the WAAC room block and at our contracted rate. If you will not be staying all five nights, click “Modify Stay” to shorten the amount of nights. The last day to reserve your room at this rate is Monday, September 25th, please note that reservations made after this date are dependent on the hotel’s availability and Daily rates.
If you have any questions or issues reserving your room, please reach out to our main hotel contact, Carly Cortez. Her information is listed below:
(713) 639-4514
E-mail Reservations: Guests may book their reservations by emailing: Reservations@hotelzaza.com.
Please identify yourself as part of the Western Association for Art Conservation (WAAC) group.
Room Rate $219 per night (plus tax).
Room Block is held until September 28, 2023, rates will be honored as long as rooms are available after that time.
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Where to go, How to get there and What to do
Airports:
Houston has two major airports, Houston Hobby on the South side is closest to the meeting location, and is a major hub for Southwest Airlines. Bush Intercontinental Airport is on the North side of Houston.
Rideshare services are available at the airports, and generally the most practical way to get to the venue.
Houston Airports were awarded 2023 Best Art in the Airport by Skytrax, a premier international air transport rating organization. So be sure to take some time to enjoy it during your travels.
​Transit:
Hotel ZaZa is approximately a 3 minute walk to the Main Street entrance to the Law Building of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (Pictured At Left). Please use the sidewalks. The hotel has a shuttle and those with mobility issues can arrange for a ride from the hotel SUV.
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Houston METRORail is an easy way to get to downtown Houston from the venue. Rideshare services LYFT and UBER are easily available in the venue area.
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Restaurants near Hotel and Venues
Houston is the most culturally diverse city in the US and our cuisine highlights that. There are endless options to choose from, but this Google map was created to point out some local favorites. It includes arts and music venues, places to eat and drink. Have fun!
OutSmart Houston is a good source for local LGBT+ recommendations. KPFT community radio broadcasts the flavor of Houston. Houstonia has reviews of many local restaurants and includes guides for shopping of all sorts.
We encourage using ride share to get around town, most restaurants on this list are a short distance from the hotel.
Goode Company BBQ Casual bbq with outdoor option. Be prepared for classic country tunes (Pictured At Right).
El Meson Cozy Cuban restaurant in Rice Village
Hamsa Modern Israeli cuisine in Rice Village with outdoor dining
Huynh Excellent family run Vietnamese restaurant near downtown. BYOB
Brennan’s New Orleans in Houston. See dress code and reservation policy.
Davis St. Where Southern Soul meets modern elegance, near Hermann Park.
Piola Thin crust pizza, gnocchi and pasta sauce are made fresh daily.
Brasil Casual dining, Artsy restaurant celebrating Houston diversity. Two large outdoor patios.
Post Houston - Historic P.O. converted to a multi-use venue including many food options & sweeping skyline views.
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Google Map of Houston Eats & Arts
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Restaurants
Cuchara Mexico City bistro in heart of LGBTQ+ Montrose, fun atmosphere. Outdoor covered seating available.
Lucille’s Southern Cuisine defined by herstory.
Raven Grill Neighborhood favorite American fare with outdoor garden dining.
Back Street Café a Hugo Ortega restaurant with outdoor dining.
Hugo’s restaurants are all recommended. This one is near the Menil and Mex-Mex.
Candente Tex-Mex with bbq twist offers outdoor covered patio.
Le Jardinier French fare. Fine dining in the Kinder building at MFAH.
Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant est. 1994
Pondicheri Indian restaurant with many vegetarian options, outdoor seating available.
Barnaby’s Café Casual American fare close to the hotel (Museum District)
Xochi Oaxacan restaurant downtown next to Discovery Green which is a great place for an evening stroll.
Boheme’s restaurant and bar, much outdoor seating for a large group. Cover charge may apply if drag show night.
Nippon Sushi In the Montrose since 1986 has a small amount of outdoor seating.
Rosie Cannonball European comfort food centered around a wood burning fire and grill.
Bistro Menil The Menil grounds and St. Thomas campus are lovely to walk in before dinner.
Lua Viet Kitchen Casual dining, some outdoor seating available. Near the Menil Collection.
Pico’s Mex-Mex featuring seven regions of Mexican cuisine. Non-smoking and smoking outdoor dining possible.
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Coffee/Tea Spots
Bitty & Beau's Rice Village coffee shop employs people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Black Hole Coffee House, etc Funky neighborhood coffee spot
Harry’s Est. 1948 Breakfast. Their motto was “if you don’t like it here, go somewhere else” now “the globe on your fork”
The Path of Tea Extensive organic tea selection.
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