Furniture Conservation and Restoration Training Pr

The Furniture College at the Letterfrack Campus of the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) is inviting applicants for the National Diploma programme in furniture conservation and restoration. The training programme provides students with a thorough understanding of the historical, ethical and aesthetic aspects of furniture conservation and restoration, with an emphasis on developing a high level of practical skill. The three year full-time course is comprised of six practical and theoretical subjects, such as Traditional Processes, Furniture Materials, Furniture History, Conservation Science, Business and Communication Skills. In the practical training students learn by working on historic furniture under personal instruction by experienced tutors. Further practical and theoretical experience is gained during a work placement, as well as study trips to important furniture collections in Europe. The new facilities for the programme include separate conservation/restoration, woodworking and wood turning areas, as well as a scientific laboratory including microscopy and photography facilities. In addition to the specific conservation/restoration equipment, general wood working machinery is shared with other training programmes in GMIT’s state of the art machine hall. Admission of school leavers and mature applicants from Ireland and other countries to the programme is administered through the Central Admissions Office (CAO, www.cao.ie, Course Code GA 948), and is based on a combination of leaving cert points and/or an assessment interview held on the college campus in April 2004. Closing date for applications is the 1st February, 2004. For further information please look at the following website, www.gmit.ie/prospective_students/prospectus_2003/prospective_students/engineering/GA948/ or contact: Debbie Ruddy, The Furniture College, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology, Letterfrack Campus, Letterfrack, County Galway, Ireland