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