Furniture and Related Objects
West Dean Diploma
West Dean College Award
1 academic year
Graduate Diploma
University of Sussex Award
1 academic year
Postgraduate Diploma
University of Sussex Award
1 academic year
Professional Development Diploma
West Dean College Award
1 academic year
MA Conservation Studies
University of Sussex Award
1 calendar year
ENQUIRIES:
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 818208 or 811301
Email: diplomas@westdean.org.uk
THE TUTOR
Michael Podmaniczky, Programme Tutor was Senior Furniture Conservator at Winterthur Museum, Wilmington, Delaware, USA and retains his position as Adjunct Associate Professor in the Winterthur/University of Delaware Programme in Art Conservation. He is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation and received his MA in Decorative Arts Conservation from Antioch University, through the Smithsonian Institution in 1989. Before his career in conservation, Mike worked as a furniture maker, boat builder and model maker.
Norbert Gutowski, Tutor is a specialist in traditional woodworking techniques and decorative finishes. After an apprenticeship in Germany, Norbert was awarded a BADA/West Dean Diploma in Restoration of Antique Furniture in 1984. This was followed by a number of employments as a restorer and instructor with companies in the UK, Switzerland and Thailand. He was course director of the HND courses at Rycotewood College in Thame, Oxfordshire and then returned, in 1996, to West Dean College to teach on the Conservation of Furniture and Furniture Making programmes.
THE FACILITIESThe programme is delivered in a purpose-built, furniture conservation workshop, which benefits from excellent natural and artificial light. You will have your own workbench, and storage for personal tools and equipment. Specialist facilities include a finishing room with fume extraction, stores for timber, materials and furniture. There is an analytical laboratory directly adjacent to the workshop.
PROGRAMME CONTENT
The programme covers five areas of study:
The West Dean Diploma course emphasises the first two areas, whereas all five areas are addressed in the Graduate and Postgraduate Diploma courses. The postgraduate Diploma builds on the Graduate Diplomas with the melding of the practical, theoretical, scientific and technical studies into a coherent and unified approach to the treatment and preservation of furniture and related objects. The successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma qualifies you, if registered, to progress to the MA in Conservation Studies.
If you have considerable experience in a relevant industry, or successfully completed an appropriate qualification, you can embark on a one year professional development diploma based upon a specific project or research idea that you have. You’ll be able to utilise all the facilities and expertise that West Dean College has to offer.
All Postgraduate Diplomas at West Dean can transferred into the MA Degree programmes, thereby extending the duration of study from one academic year to a full calendar year.
Mid way through the academic year (February), students on postgraduate programmes commence MA units in addition to the remainder of their Postgraduate Diploma programmes. On successful completion of the full academic year (July), students will have finished their Postgraduate Diploma while at the same time completing a modest amount of MA introductory study.
In July, students then commence their major projects for the MA degree which involve a further 10-week period of full-time study with a final assessment towards the end of September.
PROGRAMME ADVISERS
Christopher Claxton Stevens: Director, Norman Adams Ltd.
Richard Fredericks: Member of BADA, authority on 18th-century furniture.
Kate Gill: Conservator, Textile Conservation Centre
VISITING LECTURERS include:
Bernard Allen: furniture maker.
Dr Adam Bowett: furniture historian.
Victor Chinnery: furniture historian.
ENQUIRIES
Telephone: +44 (0)1243 818208 or 811301
Email: diplomas@westdean.org.uk
Student profiles
Jonathan Martin, West Dean College Diploma in Furniture Making Practices, 2007-2008
My first degree was in Humanities from Brighton University which led to careers in film production and in catering. However, I soon realised that these careers were not ones which really excited me. Research brought me to the world of fine furniture making and from there it was only a matter of finding the right course for me. The West Dean College Diploma in Furniture Making Practices offered me the opportunity to spend a year focussing on the craft of working with wood and to develop my hand-skills in a supportive environment. The tutors have accommodated my ideas, giving direction and encouragement throughout. Looking back over the skills learnt and developed and the projects undertaken I can really see how far I have progressed in this past year. The setting, facilities and resources have all added in providing me with a sound foundation for moving on into a specialised career path.
Graham Marley, Freelance furniture conservator, Midhurst. Studied Graduate Diploma Conservation-Restoration of Furniture
My wish to become a furniture restorer came from an interest in antiques and visiting historic houses along with the pleasure I got from working in wood. After a two year course in cabinet making at Rycotewood College I then progressed to West Dean’s Diploma course in Furniture Conservation and Restoration. The course at West Dean gave me the building blocks upon which to build a career in conservation. I recall saying, when applying for the course that I wanted to work for the National Trust - I am now one of the group of freelance conservators working for them, as well as being a trustee of the Frederick Parker Foundation and an accredited member of ICON. West Dean has also given me a great group of friends and colleagues who I still see socially. For me, West Dean turned a passion into a career.
