“It’s unfortunate, but there’s no formal training for book conservation or design binding available within Australia,” Ms Sommerfeldt said.
A bookbinder working in the Preservation Department of the National Library of Australia, Julie has had to look to Europe for an opportunity to develop the unique skills demanded of her profession.
“There’s an urgent need for professional book conservators and binders in Australia. Our written history, while young compared with European and Asian countries, is nonetheless important and needs to be preserved.
“Books and other manuscripts are as much a part of Australia’s culture and history as our other perhaps better known works of art, music and architecture.”
Julie Sommerfeldt has been offered a unique opportunity to undertake a Graduate Diploma in Conservation of Book & Library Materials at West Dean College, in West Sussex, England.
The conservation program at West Dean College is highly specialised, recognised by leading public and private sector organisations internationally for the advanced skills imparted to students.
Julie will be one of only seven students from around the world to commence studies in the highly regarded West Dean course in September this year, and the only Australian in the program.
Graduates from the institution are considered to be among the world leading practitioners in their fields, providing a unique opportunity for Julie to bring advanced bookbinding and conservation skills acquired through West Dean back to Australia. Following the completion of the one year course, Julie hopes to be able to continue her studies at West Dean working toward a Postgraduate Diploma, and an MA after that.
“This is really an opportunity of a lifetime for me,” Ms Sommerfeldt said. “It’s a chance to learn from the best and to develop relationships with experts in book conservation from Europe and other countries we rarely get the opportunity to meet here in Australia.”
However, the golden opportunity for Julie Sommerfeldt also comes at a price. Tuition fees alone for the Book and Library Materials Conservation program at West Dean are $21,500 per year. And while Julie has worked to cover the costs, she needs support to help cover the remainder fees.
“I am funding my living expenses and tuition through a combination of personal savings, personal loans, scholarships and grants from Australian and British arts and academic funding bodies,” she said.
“I’ve managed to raise about two-thirds of the first years cost this way, but I will have to rely on the generosity of individuals who are passionate about supporting Book Conservation to help me raise the remaining $20,000 per annum.”
Julie Sommerfeldt is registered with the Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) so that supporters can make a tax-deductible donation to AbaF’s Australia Cultural Fund, requesting that AbaF apply it directly to her studies at West Dean College.
The AbaF board takes donor preferences into consideration when allocating grants at its monthly meetings.
AbaF’s Australia Cultural Fund has been specifically set up to encourage arts philanthropy and it is a wonderful program for young professionals like Julie, raising funds for overseas studies.
“Opportunities such as that offered by West Dean College, to develop my skills and to bring advanced book conservation and bookbinding skills back to Australia, are few and far between,” Ms Sommerfeldt said.
“It is an exciting opportunity for me and any support I receive to help realise my goal would be greatly appreciated.”
Online donations can be made at: http://www.abaf.org.au/ and follow links to Australia Cultural Fund and Julie Sommerfeldt.
Sponsors can also contact Julie on email: [email protected] or Sharon Nathani, Manager Australia Cultural Fund on email: [email protected] or phone: 03 9616 0305.
