Natchez — On Wednesday, the Pilgrimage Garden Club will host a lecture on conservation framing with Chris and Marina Cavette, owners and operators of Natchez Fine Framing and Art Gallery.

The noon lecture will be in the Queen’s Room at The Carriage House Restaurant, and will include lunch.

The Cavettes, both artists as well as art conservators, moved to Natchez in June, 2007, from southern California after falling in love with Natchez’s small-town charm on a two-day tourist vacation. Their store opened Nov. 16.

Topics of discussion will include framing techniques and materials as well as the variety of materials that can be framed. Since moving to Natchez, the Cavettes have seen many examples of family heirlooms damaged or destroyed by inadequate framing techniques.

“Years ago, people didn’t know about the acidity in cardboard backing,” Chris said. “Clients bring in pieces they’ve had for years. From the front, at first it doesn’t look like it’s deteriorated too much, but when I take it apart, it’s completely yellow in the back and the paper is actually burned. A little more time, and it will eat through the piece.”

The Cavettes will discuss the importance of using ultraviolet-protective glass and museum glass for protecting fragile items as well as sealing pieces to protect against damage from insects, such as silverfish.

In addition to artwork and photographs, they will talk about nontraditional items that can also benefit from conservation framing.

“Clients have brought in arrowheads and pottery that was 2,000 years old,” Marina said. “Shadowboxes conserve everything — clothing, jewelry, linens, all kinds of things.

“You want to make sure that everything is reversible. That’s a conservation thing. In other words, you can take it out 20 years later and it will be exactly like it was when you put it in without any type of adhesives.”

The lecture and luncheon is scheduled for noon and will cost $12.

For reservations contact Bonnie Woodward at 601-445-5153.