S C H O O L O F R E S T O R A T I O N A R T S

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We believe there has been too much of an obsession

with observation rather than experience,

with theory rather than practice,

with objects in isolation rather than the

ecology of interconnectedness.

We are convincedthat the 21st Century is going to be a timeof reconnecting us withour cultural landscapes – landscapes that live in ourimagination and that giveus a sense of place and asense of identity.

Date: May 5, 6 & 7, 2011Instructors: Julian Smith and Lisa ProsperCourse Fee: $900Time: Thursday & Friday- 9-4:30, Saturday- 9-2:30 pm

This intensive three-day course will explore current thinking and best practice in the cultural landscape field. The cultural landscape approach operates at the intersection of natural and cultural heritage, and embraces an ecological perspective in planning and design. It puts cultural heritage in a dynamic rather than static context, and helps bridge the gap between heritage conservation and contemporary design and development.

The cultural landscape approach is an important tool in identifying, assessing, and altering significant landscapes, whether urban, rural or remote. It is an increasingly important aspect of policy and project work in the planning and development field.

The course will include presentations and discussions, a variety of case studies, and a field exercise. It will take advantage of Willowbank's rich setting.

The instructors for the course are Julian Smith of Willowbank and Lisa Prosper of Ottawa. Julian has been developing and practicing cultural landscape approaches for more than twenty years, and developed the world's first official policy addressing cultural landscape issues in 1989. He has adapted cultural landscape theory to his projects both in Canada and abroad, and is currently an advisor to UNESCO on its new international recommendation on Historic Urban Landscapes. Lisa has been researching and theorizing cultural landscapes since meeting Julian at Carleton University in 2002. As the lead at Prosper Consulting, she helped develop the new guidelines for cultural landscapes in the 2nd edition of the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada and sits on the Cultural Heritage Expert Committee for Gatineau Park. Lisa has presented widely on the topic of cultural landscapes at national and international forums, and has published on Aboriginal cultural landscapes in the George Wright Forum. She is currently working on a project that adopts a cultural landscape approach to safeguarding and representing the cultural heritage of the James Bay Cree.

A welcome reception will be hosted at Willowbank on Wednesday evening, May 4th, 7-9 pm. Coffee breaks and lunch will be provided for the duration of the course. Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions.

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE THEORY and PRACTICE

MASONRY CONSERVATION

Date: July 11-16, 2011Instructors: Keith Blades and John SilburnCourse Fee: $1500Time: Monday-Friday-9-5 pm, Saturday-9-2:30 pm

This intensive one-week course will introduce participants to the conservation of historic masonry, addressing both the analysis of existing situations and the design and implementation of appropriate interventions. The topics will include a review of the use and properties of stone, brick, terra cotta, adobe, mortars, plasters, and cast stone; types of assembly; forms of deterioration; site inspection, analysis and testing; structural concerns; cleaning; repointing; repair; and replacement. There will be site work and class participation, using the facilities of the Willowbank National Historic Site estate.

The instructors for the course are Keith Blades of Almonte, and John Silburn of Brockville. Keith is know nationally and internationally as Canada’s leading masonry conservation consultant, and has worked extensively on Parliament Hill and other nationally-significant sites. He has also taught at leading conservation centres both in Canada and abroad. He combines an intimate understanding of both theory and practice in the field. John Silburn is a restoration engineer who has teamed with Keith and other conservation experts to conserve significant masonry structures throughout the eastern Ontario region and further afield. He has recently been site supervisor for the restoration of the Red House, the Parliamentary complex in Trinidad.

An evening reception will be hosted at Willowbank on Thursday, July 14, 7-9 pm. Coffee breaks and lunch will be provided for the duration of the course. Please let us know if you have dietary restrictions.

ITALY FIELD SCHOOL PROGRAM

Date: June 9-30, 2011 Instructors: Julian Smith, Paola Gardin, Maurizio Cesprini, Paolo Volorio, Bruno Testori Course Fee: 2500 Euro

Join Canadian conservation architect Julian Smith and his Italian conservation colleagues for a rare educational opportunity. The Willowbank Canova Field School program involves documenting and revitalizing an abandoned medieval stone village near Milan. The structure of the field school reflects Willowbank’s emphasis on combining theory and practice. Participants will be engaged in philosophical and technical debates as well as the hard but satisfying work of rebuilding beautiful stone and wood medieval structures. For more than 30 years, Julian has been a leader in efforts to ensure the conservation of Canada’s historic places. He has established a national and international reputation for his work in the conservation, restoration and adaptive reuse of historic properties. He is noted for his sensitive designs for contemporary insertions in historic settings, and for the development of master plans, urban design studies and heritage district plans for significant urban and rural places. His Italian colleagues have been breathing new life into decaying medieval villages in the Domodossola area of northern Italy, in the foothills of the Alps. The Canova Association brings together local and international participants to share experiences and stimulate local investment in conservation and adaptive reuse. It also hosts an annual Canova International Architect Encounter, an intimate international forum with participants from around the globe. They gather in the beautiful Canova setting to discuss and debate best practices in conservation, sustainability, and revitalization.

The Field School will focus on the village of Ghesc, on the outskirts of Domodossola. It was built in the 15th century but was abandoned more than 50 years ago. The revitalization of Ghesc is the latest project undertaken by the Canova Association with its local partners. This village, with its unusual stone buildings including stone-tiled roofs and remains of beautiful medieval frescoes, will be your laboratory for 15 days as you acquire documentation skills, study design options, and implement the partial rebuilding of one of the stone structures. "Field trips, case studies, and participation as guests in the 2011 Canova International Architect Encounter will augment your 3 week stay."

STAY, STUDY, EAT, DRINK, PLAY

Places to StayRestaurantsWineriesTheater

Willowbank is located in the historic Village of Queenston, Ontario, which forms part of the larger township of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This area is rich in the history of thousands of years of aboriginal movement and settlement. Various First Nations communities continue to be an important part of the Niagara cultural fabric. The more recent history of European settlement is highlighted by important events in the late 18th and early 19th Centuries, when Niagara-on-the-Lake was the capital of Upper Canada and Queenston served as the key trans-shipment depot for moving goods around Niagara Falls. The War of 1812 was the area’s defining historical event, and is marked by two important sites in Queenston – the Laura Secord Homestead, which commemorates this celebrated war heroine, and the Brock Monument, which commemorates the iconic military leader. Queenston is also home of the printing shop where William Lyon Mackenzie began his career as a political reformer.

The historic old town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is noted for its fine Georgian and Victorian-era buildings, waterfront parks and surrounding fields of fruit orchards and grapevines. Fort George National Historic Site reflects the town’s strategic importance at the confluence of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. It is actively interpreted as a restored and reconstructed historic site, with a variety of special events. Niagara-on-the-Lake is known internationally for its Shaw Festival, one of the world’s pre-eminent repertory theatre companies. Its success has spurred many related tourist facilities. Wineries are also abundant in the area, and offer tours and tastings.

For those who favour the outdoors, the forests in the Niagara region are some of the most beautiful on the Niagara Escarpment. The Bruce Trail starts in Queenston, and there are hiking, bicycling and horse trails throughout the area. The particular soil composition, the unusual escarpment air flow patterns, and the moderating effects of Lakes Erie and Ontario contribute to the excellent climactic conditions of this acclaimed wine- and fruit-growing region. The Niagara Escarpment was designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1990. The Escarpment contains an enormous variety of species, including more than 300 different birds, 53 mammals, 36 reptiles and amphibians, 90 fish and 100 varieties of special-interest flora including 37 types of wild orchids.

The resurrection of abandoned buildings is as much about the rituals of inhabiting the landscape

as the artifacts that give it shape.

Willowbank is about continuity between past and present, about sensitive adaptive reuse and revitalization, not only for individual places but for entire communities.

For further information about Willowbanks School Programsvisit www.willowbank.ca or contact:

Shelley Huson905-262-1239 x 23school@willowbank.ca

14487 Niagara ParkwayBox 212Queenston ONL0S 1L0