Boulder, Colorado, 15 November, 2002 - A small, agrarian chapel in Sicily will be the site of one of Heritage Conservation Network's 2003 series of hands-on building conservation workshops. The workshop, to be held March 23 - April 5, 2003, is part of HCN's continuing effort to provide technical assistance to preservation projects while offering an opportunity for students, conservators and other interested parties to learn specialized building conservation techniques.

Cappella Dell' Immacolatella, on a farm near Trapani, Sicily, was built for the use of agricultural workers and was finished with wall frescoes, an arched plaster ceiling, and decorative floor tiles. The spring workshop is the first of several planned at the site to fully restore the structure. The focus of the workshop will be the assessment and treatment of the stone condition, moisture problems, and condition of the roof structure. Appropriate treatments for the deteriorated frescoes and remaining decorative floor tiles will also be discussed.

"The workshop presents an excellent opportunity for people to learn the hows and whys of stone conservation issues and gain valuable experience working with the material. As with all our workshops, we anticipate that participants will be able to take what they've learned and apply it - either on a professional level or a personal one - to projects of their own", says Jamie Donahoe, HCN's Operations Director. 

An on-site conservation expert guides and teaches participants through the course of the project, so participants need only an interest in preservation and a willingness to learn while they work. Instruction will be in English and Italian. 

The workshop runs for two weeks and participants may register for either one or two weeks. The cost of the workshop is US$ 875 for one week and US$ 1575 for two weeks, which includes lodging, meals, insurance, and workshop materials. Pre-registration is required; registration materials and more workshop details are available from HCN's web site at www.heritageconservation.net or from their office at 1557 North Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80304, USA. Phone +1 303 444 0128, Fax +1 775 320 6837, E-mail workshops@heritageconservation.net. 

Heritage Conservation Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of architectural heritage around the world. Through a network of experts, volunteers and community members, the organization aims to increase awareness of the significance of historic sites and stimulate each community's interest in and knowledge of appropriate conservation skills, thus helping to provide for the long-term preservation of significant structures and sites.