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WMA Conference 2008
Tear Down That Wall!
Breaking Down Barriers
Thursday, June 19
8:00AM – 2:00PM Registration Room: VADM129/130
8:00AM – 9:00AM Wake up Call: Coffee, Tea & Cookies and Silent Auction Room: VADM129/130
9:00AM – 10:15PM Welcome and Awards Room: VADM110

Susan Tissot, Executive Director, Clark County Historical Society & Museum, WMA Local Arraignments Co-Chair; Welcome to WSU V by Dr. Bruce Romanish, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, WSU V and Dr. Laurie Mercier, Professor, History Department; Marsha Rooney, WMA President; and Mike Siebol, WMA Scholarship and Awards Committee Chair
Hear what’s happening in Washington’s museums, as WMA honors award-winning exhibits, programs, institutions, volunteers, and staff.
10:30AM – 11:15AM Keynote Address: Ron Chew
Room: 110
Ron Chew is a lifelong Seattle resident whose parents were Chinese immigrants who worked in Seattle’s International District. Ron studied journalism at the University of Washington and then went to work for the International Examiner where he served as editor. In 1990 he organized the Chinese Oral History Project of Seattle and edited the Project’s 1994 companion volume, Reflections of Seattle’s Chinese Americans. In 1991 he was hired as Executive Director of the Wing Luke Asian Museum. As director he transformed the museum from a struggling artifact-based institution into an award-winning center based on collaborative projects with the regions diverse Asian/Pacific Islander communities.
11:30AM – 12:30PM Advocacy Lunch
Firstenberg Center
Join Clark County Policy Assistant Kelly Sills for a luncheon conversation about the 2005 HB 1386 funds and the Clark County grant program. Hear the latest update about statewide activity regarding the allocation of 2005 HB 1386 monies and the 2009 Museum Day Event. Susan Tissot, Janda Volkmer, and Susan Rohrer.
12:30PM – 2:00PM Breakout Sessions
Exhibit Development and Design for Small Museums (Part 1)
Room: VMMC 6
Presenters: Chris Fiala Erlich, Independent Curator, chrisworks and Victoria Blackwell, Curator, Gig Harbor History Museum
Chris will demonstrate how to develop a storyline matrix. You’ll learn to use the matrix to bring together in one document all the themes, topics, photographs, artifacts, archive, label copy, media, interactives, and other materials that will make up your exhibit. You’ll receive a checklist to use when preparing for storyline and design development. Chris and Vicki will talk about the pros and cons of doing the storyline and design in-house (on a shoestring!), or using a contractor.
No Boundaries - Working With Tribal Museums
Room: VMMC 22
Presenters: John Chess, Development Officer, Tamástslikt Cultural Institute and James Payne, Executive Director, Fort Walla Walla Museum
The session will focus on developing relationships between Tribal and non-Indian museums. Tamástslikt and FWWM have worked together for a decade, providing a case study. The session will explore misconceptions preventing such relationships and benefits resulting from these collaborations.
Looking Beyond Your Walls – Available Resources for Collections Care
Room: VMMC 1
Presenter: Kara West, Assistant Director for Field Services, Balboa Art Conservation Center (BACC)
The need for collections care services throughout the United States has been long recognized and is well documented. A regional survey conducted by Balboa Art Conservation Center identified that the greatest obstacles for collections care activities are not enough people or time to do the work, and not enough funding to retain outside specialists. This session will demonstrate numerous ways to reach out for expert help and resources to save collections.
2:00PM – 3:00PM Dessert Break
Room: VADM129/130
Take a break and have a treat while talking with colleagues. Bid on your favorite Silent Auction item to support WMA scholarships. Visit with specialty vendors.
3:00PM – 4:15PM Breakout Sessions
Exhibit Development and Design for Small Museums (Part 2)
Room: VMMC 6
Presenters: Chris Fiala Erlich, Independent Curator, chrisworks and Victoria Blackwell, Curator, Gig Harbor History Museum
Vicki will discuss basic design tips, including how to use your space (or lack of it!), using color and texture, creating focal points, and shopping “on a dime.” Both Vicki and Chris will demonstrate and provide examples of exhibit designs and their components, both for temporary and permanent exhibits, including simple multi-media. If time permits, participants will be able to “install” exhibit panels as an exercise in design, label spacing, and panel layout.
Using Music and Readers Theatre To Present Washington Women’s Suffrage History
Room: VMMC 22
Presenter: Susan Butrille, Author
Leavenworth author Susan Butruille will facilitate a workshop and audience-participation demonstration on incorporating music and readers theatre in presenting Washington Women’s Suffrage history. Butruille and Bellingham musician Linda Allen wrote script and music for the musical readers theatre “Recipe For Justice,” featuring three generations of Washington women planning a celebration dinner as they share memories, songs, recipes, and contrary views over women’s rights.
Breaking Down NAGPRA
Room: VMMC 1
Panelists: Rex Buck, Jr., Wanapum Band; Jackie Cook, Repatriation Specialist, Colville Confederated Tribes; Kate Valdez, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Confederated Tribes; and Bands of the Yakama Nation; Megon Noble, Assistant Archaeology Collections Manager/ NAGPRA; Coordinator, Burke Museum of Natural History; Mary Collins, Director, WSU Museum of Anthropology; Angela Neller, Curator, Wanapum Heritage Center
Museum and tribal NAGPRA specialists will come together to break down NAGPRA for audience participants. Panelist will be available to lead discussions regarding audience questions about the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the repatriation process, working with tribal entities, tribal perspectives, collaborative partnerships to accomplish the same goals, and the sensitivity in caring for and interpreting NAGPRA objects.
English Estate
6:00PM WMA Banquet at English Estates Winery
Pre-registration is required; guests of conference attendees are welcome to register
Visit with colleagues and Vancouver Mayor, Royce Pollard who will officially welcome you to America’s Vancouver. The evening will take place in the Vineyard at English Estates Gravel Mine Vineyards in east Vancouver. English Estates Winery opened in 2002 but the English family roots at this property go back to 1903 when the family grew potatoes, prunes and operated a dairy before becoming a winery. Sample a selection of Pinot Noir wines and listen to wine vintor Carl English share his wine making knowledge. Dinner and desert will be provided as well as non-alcoholic drinks. Four wine tastings per person are included; glasses and bottles of wine will be available for purchase. For a limited time, the English family is also offering a special label bottle that feature and benefit the Clark County Historical Museum.
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