An independent resource of art materials education will be created at the University of Delaware, Department of Art Conservation with your help!
Dear Art Material Colleagues:
Since the passing of Mark Gottsegen and the closing of the Art Materials Information and Education Network better known as AMIEN, I have received many calls and letters from both artists and members of our industry asking how this effort might be reintroduced. We had a small group that included Robert Gamblin, as well as Mark’s attorney and accountant, working on trying to recover AMIEN, but unfortunately, we were unable to restore the site.
In pursuing this effort we also reached out to several institutions trying to see who might be potential partners in this effort to provide an independent resource of art materials education. As this is a tremendous commitment of time and effort for any group considering continuing AMIEN’s work, we had few takers.
I am now delighted to inform you that I have been given permission to announce that the University of Delaware, under the auspices of the Department of Art Conservation and guidance of its Chair, Debra Hess Norris, and Assistant Professor, Brian Baade and his partner and private practice paintings conservator, Kristin DeGhetaldi, have put together a proposal to create a new resource for artists. This proposed website and online forum will provide information and education on art materials to practicing artists and educators around the world.
Some of the structure, based on AMIEN’s early work, will provide forums for discussion as well as a cadre of expert moderators to assist in responding to the thousands of questions from artists. This site can become a critical resource for artists, educators and our industry as they share best practices with artists. There is no better way to assure the legacy of art done in our time than to provide artists with the best independent information available.
The budget for the project has been broken down into two parts. The initial phase of development, which includes IT, design, structure, team development, compliance, and resource development, totals $37,000 to bring the site to launch. It is further estimated for each year thereafter, that $22,000 is necessary to sustain ongoing support for the resource.
The AMIEN site was never self-sustaining. It required the constant investment by others in the Art Material Industry as well as an enormous reinvestment of Mark’s own salary for the effort. I have personally heard from over 100 artists since Mark’s passing, that they would love to again see an independent voice to assist artists. Although Mark had thought that artists would eventually be the sustaining members of AMIEN, in truth, they are the least able to support this effort.
Let me share some stats from the AMIEN site archives:
- 2013 was trending toward 300,000 annual unique visitors (Mark passed in September 2013)
- May 2013: Threads 2,629; Posts 22,907; Users 6,134
- 31 Subject Topics including: Supports, Oil Paints and Mediums, Sizes and Grounds, Binders, Solvents, Varnishes, Pigments, Paint Making, Water thinned Paints, Temperas, Encaustics, Pastel, Acrylic Paint and Mediums, Mural Paints, Colored Pencils, Photography and Printed Digital Media, Printmaking, Presentation of Art, Picture Protection, Conservation, Hazards, Art History & Technical Examination of Art, Manuscripts, Recovery of Water-Damaged Art, Textiles, Sculpture & Public Art
Per this proposal, the site would reside for now under the auspices of UofD Department of Conservation, and would not contain any advertising. It is hopeful that in the future because of the reach of the University that other educational institutions will be approached for sustaining grants. Donors will be acknowledged on a Supporter’s page. Right now, the opportunity is really in our hands, members of this art material industry.
In full disclosure, this is a unique offer by the UofD Department of Conservation. In the future, the site may need to be moved within the University firewall, or if necessary, moved to its own site. This will require additional funds to make these changes. While the site remains under the control of UofD, unlike AMIEN’s non-profit 501C3 requiring a new Board of Directors, this site will not require such. It’s possible that at some point in the future, an Advisory Board may be initiated.
This letter is to officially ask you for your support, both for this first year of development and for sustaining years. I am hoping that every manufacturer and distributor that sees the benefit of this resource for artists would contribute. I am also hoping that every art retailer that tries every day to provide their customers with the most current information on the proper use of materials would contribute.
Over the next few weeks I will personally reach out to many of you to ask for your support and involvement in making this effort a reality. It couldn’t be more generous of the University of Delaware and Debra, Brian and Kristin to create this opportunity for all our benefit. I would be delighted if this industry could in turn, reward their efforts to continue the legacy and vision of Mark Gottsegen and AMIEN could once again be realized and even surpassed. Please take a look at the current site on the University of Delaware’s conservation page to see a similar site dedicated to art conservation historical practices to see Brian’s and Kristin’s resource they have already created for their colleagues in conservation: Conservation Site
If you’re already convinced and don’t need my call, please email me at mgolden@goldenpaints.com and we’ll start to assemble the needed pledges of support for the University of Delaware to consider moving forward with this valuable resource. If we are not able to generate the needed support for this effort, it is doubtful that the site will be launched.
Warmest regards,
Mark Golden, CEO
Golden Artist Colors, Inc.