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Resumé of Martha L. Spark
Summary
Over 30 years combined experience in museum institutions, both academically associated and publicly funded. Encompassed Natural History museums; Biology and Zoology Departments in universities; Historical museums, Historic Houses, and Quilt Museum.
Museum Professional Experience
Collections Inventory, contract technician ---- 2010
Southern Oregon Historical Society, Medford, OR
Collections Manager/ Registrar ---- 2003-2006
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, Golden, Colorado
Costume Committee chair / Collections Committee chair ---- 2003-2006
Avery House Historic District/Poudre Landmarks Foundation (PLF), Fort Collins, CO
Owner, Quilt Restoration Services and Consulting ---- 2003-present
Lab Manager / Department Exhibit Designer ---- 1993-1994
Stetson University, Biology Department, Deland, FL
Owner, Victorian Shadows ---- 1990-1992
Ashland, OR
Curator of Costume and Textiles/ Staff Conservation liaison ---- 1986-1989
Clarke Memorial Museum, Eureka, CA
Student Intern, Costume and Textiles Department ---- 1982-1986
Clarke Memorial Museum, Eureka, CA
Collections Manager ---- 1979-1980
Stockton state College, Biology Dept, Pomona, NJ
Curatorial Assistant, Invertebrate Zoology, Mollusk Collection ---- 1978-1979
American Museum of Natural History, New York City, NY
Paleontological & Malacological Technician ---- 1976-1977
Florida State Museum, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Professional and Volunteer Affiliations
Poudre Landmarks Foundation Collections Committee ---- 2004-2006
Front Range Contemporary Quilters ---- 2004-2006
Avery House Historic District (Costume Committee) ---- 2003-2006
Collections Managers Group – State of Colorado ---- 2003-2006
American Quilt Study Group ---- 2003-
California Association of Museums ---- 1989
Costume Society of America ---- 1989 and 2003-2006
College Art Association ---- 1989
Major Costume, Textile and Quilt Exhibits
Rooted in Tradition – Art Quilts from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum ---- 2005
High, Wide and Open – Quilts of the Old and New West ---- 2005
From this Day Forward ---- 2004
A Hat for All Seasons: a retrospective survey of style from 1880-1940 ---- 1988
Beaded Dresses of the 1920s ---- 1987
Wedding Dresses of Humboldt County, CA ---- 1986
Education
Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA ---- 1982-1989
B.S., Home Economics (Clothing and Textiles)
Minor: Art and Japanese History
Special Emphasis: Museum Studies and Conservation
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL ---- 1976-1978
Emphasis: Zoology
Quilt History Affiliations
Facilitator – MOKA Quilt Study Group ---- 2016-2018
Facilitator – Columbia-Willamette Quilt Study Group, OR ---- 2009-2011
Co-Coordinator, Oregon Quilt Project (state quilt documentation project), OR ---- 2009-2011
Research technician – The Sampler Consortium, University of Oregon, OR ---- 2008
Member – Rocky Mountain Quilt Study Group, CO---- 2003-2006
Member – Staff committee, RMQM, Phase III participant with the Quilt Index, CO --- 2005-2006
Shows & Awards/ Costume & Quilts
Founders Award, Edmond Quilt Guild, Edmond, OK. ---- 2016
1st Place, Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show exhibit, Stars of the West, OR ---- 2003
Dancer & Costumer, Kalamajka Hungarian Folk Dance Group, OR ---- 1994-1996
Dancer & Costume Director, North Country Folk Ensemble, CA ---- 1983-1986
1st Place, Humboldt State University, Textiles Show of Student Work, CA ------ 1984
Lectures & Workshops Conducted
Slide Lecture: Quilt Documentation Using the Quilt Index Core Standards ---- 2018
Edmond Quilt Guild, OK
Facilitator, MOKA Quilt Study Group meeting at Oklahoma History Center, OK ---- 2016
Topic: Behind-the scenes quilt viewing of select collection pieces
Slide Lecture: Quilt Restoration - The Art of Renewal, MOKA Quilt Study Group ---- 2013
Facilitator, Columbia-Willamette Quilt Study Group meeting at Philomath Historical Museum, OR ---- 2010
Topic: Behind-the scenes quilt viewing of collection pieces
Scholar in Residence: Columbia-Willamette QSG Annual Retreat, OR ---- 2009
Slide Lecture: Quilts in Context – An Overview of World Styles of Quilting
Workshop: Hand-Dyeing with Procion MX Dyes, Corvallis Contemporary Fiber Arts Group ---- 2008, 2009
Lecture: Quilts from the Philomath Museum’s Collection, Mary’s River Quilt Guild, OR ---- 2009
Lecture & Workshop: Caring For Your Antique Quilts and Textiles, La Habra Quilt Guild, CA ---- 2009
Workshop: Basics of Quilt Restoration, OR ---- 2008
Slide Lecture: Regionalism and Diversity in Quilt Communities, Mission Mill Museum, OR ---- 2007
Slide Lecture: Changing Perspective in an Evolving Art Quilt Collection, Philomath Historical Museum, OR ---- 2006
Slide Lecture: Highlights from the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum’s Permanent Collection ---- 2005
American Quilt Study Group’s Annual Seminar, CO
Slide Lecture: Victorian Undergarments, 1860-1940, Avery House Historic District, CO ---- 2004
Lecture & Workshop: Caring For Your Antique Quilts and Textiles ---- 1999-present
Newsletters & Articles
Quarterly Newsletter Editor, Columbia Willamette Quilt Study Group, OR ---- 2009-2011
Contributor, AQSG, Blanket Statements, Spring ---- 2011
Article: Regional Quilt Study Group Report: Highlights from the Columbia-Willamette Quilt Study Group
Museum Conservation/ Quilt History & Restoration Training
Workshops: Quilt Restoration - Beginning and Advanced, Nancy Kirk, NE ---- 2004
Workshop: Antique Quilt Dating, AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser Bobby Aug, CO ---- 2004
Workshop: Quilt Restoration & Antique Quilt Dating, AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser Cindy Brick, CO ---- 2003
Intensive Internship: Conservation Department, Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA ---- 1988
Under the supervision of John Burke, Chief Conservator, Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA
Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) Grant recipient, Clarke Memorial Museum, CA ---- 1987
Conducted by John Burke, Chief Conservator, Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA
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