Materials Lab Workshop: Making an Impression

Materials Lab Workshop: Making an Impression is a hands-on exploration of printmaking through the combined perspectives of art and conservation. Assistant paper conservator Abby Schleicher and research curator Francesca Bewer will guide participants through experiments with different tools, pressures, inks, and papers, demonstrating how technical decisions leave identifiable physical marks and why impressions are never exactly alike.

Participants will also examine selected prints using magnification and specialized conservation lighting. By comparing the workshop experiments with close study of the artworks, they will learn how to recognize print processes and interpret details such as toolmarks, plate wear, inking, and condition. The workshop is part of a fall series examining different media through art and science.

When: Friday, November 6, 2026

Showtimes: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Format: In person

Venue: Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Location: Materials Lab, Lower Level

Instructors: Abby Schleicher, assistant paper conservator, and Francesca Bewer, research curator

Tickets: $75 when paid at registration; $60 for current Fellows, Friends, and Partners when paid at registration

Registration: The workshop is at capacity. Materials are included, and registration was handled through the museum’s registration link.

Ages: 14 and older

Accessibility: Visitors seeking accommodations can contact Visitor Services at am_register@harvard.edu or 617-495-9400. Further accommodation information is available through the museums’ accessibility resources.

Note: The museum states that participant fees support the Harvard Art Museums’ educational mission.