Three-day workshop on the conservation and preservation of parchment

10 September 2026 | Marta Lopez | Events & Training

Three-day workshop on the conservation and preservation of parchment

Monday 9 – Wednesday 11 November 2026 (9am-5pm)

National Archives, Bishop Street, Dublin 8, D08 DF85

ICRI is delighted to announce this three-day workshop on the preservation and conservation of parchment, presented by accredited library and archive Conservators, Lara Artemis and Mariluz Beltran de Guevara. It is generously hosted by the National Archives Ireland and sponsored by the Heritage Council.

Parchment is the most prolific substrate used for the transmission of the early written word. It is also one of the most challenging yet rewarding materials a conservator has the privilege of working with in their career. Whether it is a vellum bound book, archival collection of correspondence, or an illuminated manuscript -- parchment has a range and depth of conservation and preservation needs that require considerable understanding of its nature and good time to practice.

During this workshop we will examine, practice and discuss the history of parchment, which will include reviewing documentation procedures and historical conservation techniques. It will focus on practicing modern conservation and preservation methods, whilst touching on scientific analysis. From managing environmental factors to retreating old repairs, this course will hopefully help the conservator to further identify and manage some of the more complex preservation challenges in parchment collections.

Please note: Participants will need to have had some experience of working with parchment in a conservation context. It would be useful for you to bring some examples of parchment to work with but not imperative. A list of suggested tools to bring and recommended reading will be provided once your place is confirmed.

How to book: This workshop is generously sponsored by the Heritage Council and ICRI and is free to attend. However, places are limited and booking is essential. Please email Jessica Baldwin (Jessica.Baldwin@nationalarchives.ie) to apply for a place before 2 October 2026.

Speakers Biographies:

Lara Artemis A-ICRI, ACR, FIIC – With over 30 years’ experience, Lara began her career as manuscripts conservator at the National Archives, UK, which is where she gained her passion for parchment. She later held conservation posts at the British Library and Wellcome Collection, where alongside conserving illuminated and archive manuscripts, she developed skills in the conservator’s role at move and exhibition management. Later she set-up studios and managed conservation staff and projects at the Houses of Parliament and Lambeth Palace Library, London. In 2025 she took up position as conservator at the Glucksman Library, University of Limerick, to be near her family. She has been active in the profession as accreditation mentor, assessor and mediation panel member, as well as tutor and consultant. Her ICON sub-editorial role saw her initiate the 20th anniversary edition of parchment and Vellum in 2012. She has a conservation BA from Camberwell, and an MA Medieval History from London; recently she began a PhD at the Courtauld Institute London on the subject of Parchment.

Mariluz Beltran de Guevara ACR, PgD, AFHE, FIIC – Mariluz gained a Postgraduate Diploma in Conservation of Rare Books and Manuscripts from West Dean College of Arts in 1997 after studying at Camberwell College of Arts. Following an internship at the V&A Museum and work at Dundee University’s Conservation Unit, she joined the British Library in 2001, where she served as Parchment and Vellum Specialist and managed conservation teams and projects until moving to West Dean College in 2017 as Subject Leader for the Graduate and MA Book Conservation programs. Since 2021 she has worked at the University of London—first establishing the conservation studio and collection care program at SOAS, and currently serving as the School of Advance Study Senior Conservator based at the Warburg Institute, where she has implemented a coordinated collection care strategy across four specialist research libraries. Mariluz also maintains a private practice focused on parchment, books and manuscripts, and teaches parchment and book conservation courses in the UK and Europe.