ANNUAL MEETING
Ready to Join us IN ChErokee, nc?
Members $225.00 – Non Members $250.00
sERCA’S 2026 annual meeting: Out-of-the-Box!
The Southeastern Regional Conservation Association (SERCA) is thrilled to announce our annual conference, taking place this year in the stunning Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina! The conference will take place at the Museum of the Cherokee People, February 27th-March 1st, 2026.
Dates: Friday, February 27th – Sunday, March 1st, 2026
Location: Cherokee, North Carolina
The Southeastern Regional Conservation Association (SERCA) is thrilled to host our annual conference, taking place this year in the stunning Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina!
Attend presentations that explore a variety of innovative and thought-provoking approaches to conservation. This year’s theme, Out-of-the-Box!, celebrates the bold, the experimental, and the unconventional—methods, materials, and practices that push beyond traditional models of care and preservation.
Laura Elliff Cruz, Head of Collections at the School for Advanced Research (SAR) Indian Arts Research Center (IARC)is the keynote speaker for our annual conference. She will provide a virtual presentation on the Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide. This framework honors Indigenous belief systems and practices, centering Tribal sovereignty and intellectual authority over cultural heritage.
Presentations will also include the following:
Against The Grain: Applications of Non-Traditional Materials in Furniture Conservation – Presenter: Emily McClain, Conservator of Wooden Artifacts
All things Bright and Beautiful: The Treatment of a Late 19th century Thanjavur Painting – Presenter: Jessica Keister, Paper Conservator
A Re-Treatment Strategy for a Native American Dugout Canoe Previously Conserved with Sucrose – Presenter: Kimberly Kenyon, Archeologist
Clays and Plant Leaves for Cleaning Paintings: Evaluating and Developing Bio-Based, Historically Inspired Methods for Oil Paintings at the Rijksmuseum – Presenter: Victoria Ward, Paintings Conservator
Live Conservation, a Non-traditional Practice: Notes on Art Conservation In the Public Eye – Presenter: Luis Seixas, Objects Conservator
Material Characterization and Conservation Strategy of the Pigmented Stucco Mural on the Wharton Esherick Museum Silo – Presenter: Donglin Chen, Architectural Conservator
Spin Doctor: A Case Study of the Conservation Treatment of a Damaged Globe – Presenter: Geneva Ikle, Paper Conservator
Woven Floors in Crisis: Challenges, Preservation, and the Future of Handwoven Carpet Art in the United States – Presenter: Elaheh Ghazi
Hands on Demonstrations/Workshops:
A Box Is Not Just a Box: The Culturally Sensitive Archive Container – Presenter: Jo Lynne
Seriously, Please Don’t Touch That! – Identifying and Mitigating Hazardous Materials in Your Collection – Presenter: Jennifer French
Testing Techniques for Hazardous Materials in Collections – Presenter: Brittany Dinneen/Your Neighborhood Museum
Making Tiny First Aid Kits – Presenter: Katie Etre
Come Back Soon for An Updated Schedule in the Coming Weeks!
Join us as we gather in the heart of the Appalachians to share knowledge, spark conversation, and reimagine the future of cultural heritage preservation.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of this dynamic event!
REGISTER HERE: https://sercaconservation.org/annual-meeting/.
Email any questions to communications@sercaconservation.org.
Lodging: SERCA has secured a group rate at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort:
- Thursday: $59 + $34.99 resort fee (total $93.99 + tax)
- Friday: $239 + $34.99 resort fee (total $273.99 + tax)
- Saturday: $239 + $34.99 resort fee (total $273.99 + tax)
To secure the group rate, you can call (828) 497-7777 or book online via the link below, referencing the code “S02SRCA.” Book at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino
More affordable lodging options are also available at other hotels in Cherokee. You can find them here: List of Hotels in Cherokee, NC