Multi-Stick Fill (Stäbchenergänzung) Technique for Loss Compensation

Developed in Germany, the Stäbchenergänzung (multi-stick fill) technique for loss compensation has been used in wooden objects conservation for the past 30 years. This online APD will give conservators the opportunity to explore, discuss and practise this technique. In a live virtual setting, the facilitators will demonstrate the technique and discuss how it can be used in treatments. Participants will carry out practical exercises between the facilitator-led virtual modules, during which time there will be opportunities for discussion and questions.

Dates

English session: Three 3-hour interactive virtual modules held on January 14, February 11 and March 11, 2026, from 1:00 pm (ET) to 4:00 pm (ET)

French session: Three 3-hour interactive virtual modules held on January 28, February 25 and March 25, 2026, from 1:00 pm (ET) to 4:00 pm (ET)

Delivery

Online interactive sessions through Zoom

Application deadline

October 17, 2025

Participant selection

October 29, 2025

Languages

English or French

Registration fees

CAN$100 (plus applicable taxes)

Number of participants

Maximum of 15 participants per session

Minimum of 5 participants per session

Instructors

• Anne-Stéphanie Etienne, Conservator (Heritage Furniture and Wooden Objects), Treatment and Collection Care – Textiles, Paintings, Polychrome Surfaces, Heritage Furniture and Wooden Objects Division, Canadian Conservation Institute
• Jill Plitnikas, Conservator (Objects), Treatment and Collection Care – Objects, Paper and Archaeology Division, Canadian Conservation Institute

Who should apply?

This workshop may be for you if:

• you are an emerging or mid-career conservator who treats objects with wooden components
• you are a conservation student who treats objects with wooden components
• you are an experienced bookbinder or furniture restorer

Special requirements

To participate in the interactive virtual modules, participants must have access to the following equipment and software:

• A computer with audio and video capabilities
• The desktop version of Zoom

To complete the mandatory exercises between sessions, participants must have access to the following:

• A workspace with a cutting mat or equivalent
• Small tools, such as scalpels, cutting tools, chisels, files, needle files and brushes
• Clamping materials, such as tape, spring clamps, magnets and elastic bands
• Adhesives, such as animal glues, poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAC), acrylics and cellulose ethers

Upon registration, participants will receive a more detailed list of the equipment needed to complete the mandatory exercises, and a participant kit containing test pieces and wood fill materials will be mailed to them.

Learning objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• determine when the multi-stick fill technique is appropriate to use for compensating complex losses in wood
• select the appropriate materials and tools to use when applying the multi-stick fill technique for compensating complex losses in wood
• apply the multi-stick fill technique to objects using balsa and other wood species while following appropriate health and safety procedures
• apply the multi-stick fill technique to round objects and objects with veneer while following appropriate health and safety procedures

What to expect

This advanced professional development workshop will consist of three interactive virtual modules of three hours in duration, spaced one month apart. Modules will include short lectures and live demonstrations of the techniques being used. Each module will be recorded, and participants will have access to the recordings to support learning between modules.

Participants will be expected to spend an average of three hours to complete mandatory exercises between each module. There will also be an opportunity for participants to discuss case studies from their practice where using the multi-stick fill technique could be appropriate.

Module 1 (three hours)

Introduction to the multi-stick fill technique, materials and tools; using balsa and other wood species to fill loss in square cross-section components

Exercises (approximately three hours): Three introductory exercises based on demonstrations in Module 1

Module 2 (three hours)

Discussion on Module 1 exercises; using balsa to fill loss in panels, round cross-section components and components with veneer

Exercises (approximately three hours): Three exercises based on demonstrations in Module 2

Module 3 (three hours)

Discussion on Module 2 exercises; presentation on examples of complex losses filled using this technique; case study discussion; final questions

Between modules, participants and instructors will have access to online tools to ask questions and share examples, references and resources.

How to apply

Please submit the completed application form by October 17, 2025.

Applicants must live in Canada to be eligible for this workshop.

Selection criteria

If the number of applicants exceeds the maximum number of participants allowed, selections will be made based on the following criteria:

• The likelihood that the participant can use the course knowledge and skills in their community or workplace
• The participant’s ability to share and transfer the knowledge gained during the course to a wider audience
• The participant’s professional experience and training related to conservation
• The number of registrations from a single organization
• The balance of institutional and private practice conservators
• The requirement for accredited conservators (for example, members of the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators) to fulfil continuing professional development requirements

Payment

Once you have received confirmation of registration, you will be contacted by phone to process the payment. The payment will be processed in Canadian funds by credit card (MasterCard or VISA).

Refunds

Requests to withdraw must be submitted in writing to CCI. Refunds will be issued under the following conditions:

• A full refund less a CAN$10 administrative fee for requests received more than 7 business days prior to the start of the workshop
• A 50% refund for requests received fewer than 7 business days prior to the start of the workshop

CCI may make exceptions to this refund policy in the event of insurmountable difficulties in attending the workshop.

Cancellation

CCI reserves the right to cancel this workshop if the minimum enrolment requirement is not met 30 days prior to the event. In this case, CCI will refund the full registration fee but will not be responsible for any transportation, housing, loss of income or other costs that may have been incurred by the participants.

Additional information

Please contact CCI if you have any questions, comments or accommodation needs.