Historic Preservation Visiting Artisan Series features “The Red Mason” Dr. Gerard Lynch

#1252 | February 7, 2012

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College will host its Historic Preservation Visiting Artisan Series featuring Dr. Gerard Lynch, an internationally acclaimed brickwork consultant, master bricklayer, educator and author, the week of February 20-22, 2012.

“We’re honored to welcome Dr. Gerard Lynch to Savannah Technical College,” said College President Dr. Kathy Love. “As the only hands-on historical preservation program in Georgia, we are proud to offer our students opportunities to learn from masters in their trades.”

While in Savannah, Lynch will work with students to practice lime mortar repointing techniques at the Coastal Heritage Society – who will be co-sponsors of the visit.

Lynch followed a traditional apprenticeship as a bricklayer and, over the years through his natural ability within his craft, gained many awards, including the Silver and Gold Trowels from the Brick Development Association and is a Licentiate of the City and Guilds of London Institute. He is a former Head lecturer of Trowel Trades at Bedford College, pioneering a revival of gauged brickwork, in which he is considered the world’s leading authority, and other almost forgotten traditional craft skills; and is affectionately known by the historic term, “The Red Mason.” He returned to contracting and set up a private consultancy practice in 1992.

He is the author of Gauged Brickwork A Technical Handbook (Gower, 1990, revised 2006, Donhead Publishing), Brickwork: History: Technology and Practice (volumes 1 and 2, Donhead Publishing, 1994) and The History of Gauged Brickwork: Conservation, Repair and Modern Applications (Elsevier Limited 2007). Also various peer-reviewed papers and articles on various traditional and historical aspects of his craft, which have received wide praise for their content and have led in the revival of interest for traditional historic building practices and their successful re-interpretation.

The visit is being coordinated by STC’s Department Head and Instructor of Historic Preservation Stephen Hartley. “Dr. Lynch’s visit continues our goal of augmenting our traditional study with masters in their chosen craft,” said Hartley.

For two years, the College has hosted Preservation Week in May, during which local experts offer workshops and sessions on preservation-related topics. With the College’s transition to a semester calendar last year, May’s Preservation Week activities have become the Visiting Artisan Series that will bring three world-class craftsmen to campus each for a week in October, February and April. The next visiting artisan – Rudy Christian – is scheduled to be in Savannah March 24 – April 1, 2012.

This series has gained international recognition and has contributed to a number of community-based preservation projects in the surrounding communities.

For information about Historic Preservation at Savannah Technical College, contact Hartley, shartley@savannahtech.edu or 912.443.5864.

Savannah Technical College serves coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Savannah, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 4,500 credit students each semester, Savannah Tech offers nearly 100 different instructional programs in Business and Technology, Public Service, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry. The College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

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For More Information Contact:
Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu