OPEN LETTER TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN HELPING

Dear Friend,

Nearly every day I find myself thinking about Emily Smith. She was an art lover and spent much of her time visiting galleries and museums. She once told me she had become interested in art as a little girl and her passion for art continued to grow over the next 70 years.

At the time I had a small gallery and restoration business and looked forward to Emily's frequent visits. I was surprised when she arrived with a painting she had purchased a year earlier. Her only income was social security and she had little savings. I asked Emily where she found the painting. She said a young artist was selling his work at a local art show. Even though purchasing it meant spending her entire savings, she wanted to support the artist and felt a connection with the piece.

As she unwrapped the painting, I saw the problem. The paint was cracked and flaking. Close examination revealed that the paint layers were incompatible and the drying paint was shrinking and separating from both its layers and the support. The painting was nearly deteriorated and unable to be repaired.

For more than forty years now, I have witnessed the disappointment in the faces of art owners as they learned their cherished items could not be restored. Sometimes, the artist is at fault for using poor materials. Other times, the damage is caused by the owners abuse or neglect. However, nearly all damage could be avoided if individuals had access to the proper information.

In 1994 I formed FACTS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the care of artworks and keepsakes. FACTS has made a difference by collecting information, suggesting research and by the facilitation of standards. Of the more than 800 standard setting organizations working in the United States today, FACTS is the only one working in the arts.

Today, I am proud to report that our mission has drawn the active involvement of leaders from virtually every artistic discipline. We have also been joined by a diverse group of scientists and industry leaders who volunteer their time.

We need you to join our assault on the ignorance that robs us of our heritage. You can contribute in a practical way, to a host of programs that fight worldwide ignorance concerning the care of artworks and keepsakes.

Sincerely,

Don Pierce

Find out more about how you can become involved!
 Contact FACTS info@artfacts.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

Volunteers who guide the organization, its projects, policies and activities.

F. William Guerin
 Greg Fremstad
 Caroline Mastres
 William Barker
 Nina Bataller

TECHNICAL ADVISORS

individuals with experience and training in the many areas of the fine arts. These dedicated individuals volunteer their time and talents to help with researched information and to help resolve all questions of a technical nature. They also review and question each document to insure that the information produced by this organization is current and accurate.

William Adair, Director/International Institute for Frame Study

Daniel Burge, Research Scientist/Image Permanence Institute

Dr. David Erhardt, Senior Research Chemist/Smithsonian

Margaret Geiss-Mooney, Textile Scientist/Conservator

Ellen McCrady, Publisher/The Abbey Newsletter

Dr. Chandru Shahani, Chief of Preservation/US Library of Congress

Dr. Judith Stanley, Paper Scientist (UK)

Edward Stiedle, Professor/Medieval Studies, Stanford University

William K. Wilson, Paper Scientist (retired)

TECHNICAL ADVISORS

individuals with extensive experience in one or more areas of their craft. They have elected to volunteer their help not only with their craft expertise but also in promoting the organizations and its programs to others.

Ellen Collins, Owner/Howard's Art Supplies & Frames

James Miller, Owner/Artframe, Inc.

Alice Perritt, Owner/HoFP Gallery

Terry Way, Owner/Raven Frame Works

PRODUCT ADVISORS

Individuals who work on the technical staff of manufacturing companies who are willing to share their knowledge and to volunteer their time to help advance the goals of the FACTS organization.

Susan Bogard, Archivart

Norman Boris, Nielsen & Bainbridge

Rick Bowald, Tru Vue, Inc.

Greg Fremstad, FrameTek, Inc.

Keith Hewitt, Slater Harrison & Co. Ltd. (UK)

Jennifer Hay, CYRO Industries

Ray Lin, Zuel Company Inc.

Bud Martin, Hunt Corporation

Kyle Ondricek, Lineco/University Products

CONTRIBUTORS - 2001

The accomplishments of this organization have been made possible by support from the following companies.

CONTRIBUTORS  $2,500 or more

Crescent Cardboard Co.

FrameTek, Inc.

Nielsen & Bainbridge

PROJECT SPONSORS - Foamboard Committee

Charrette

Hunt Corporation

International Paper

Nielsen & Bainbridge

PROJECT SPONSORS - Scrapbook Committee

Creating Keepsakes

IPI

Sakura

3L

3M

GIFTS  (donated items & services)

Abaton, Inc.

David Fyfe

FrameTek, Inc.

Symantec

PUBLICATIONS SUPPORTING FACTS

by reporting its activities and programs

Art Business News 

Art Business Today (UK) 

Art Calendar 

Art World News

The Bevelled Edge (Canada) 

Creating Keepsakes Magazine 

Der Kunsthandel (Germany) 

Picture Framing Magazine 

Profile Magazine (Australia)

Southeastern Framer Magazine

ORGANIZATIONS with a spirit of cooperation and support.

Abbey Publications 

ACTS 

Art & Framing Council 

ASTM 

Canadian Conservation Institute

Fine Art Trade Guild (UK) 

ICCROM 

Institute of Paper Conservation (UK) 

MacDowell Colony

Professional Picture Framers Association