CoPA Vintage Patterns: An Archive of Everyday Wear 1957-1968 is the newest addition to the Commercial Pattern Archive.

The CD contains records of over 5,000 patterns and 10,000 images from the Betty Williams and University of Rhode Island Collections. This CD is part of the three CD set, which contains pattern records and pattern grids from 1868 to 1968. The database is searchable by garment type, date, age range, and pattern company. Additional search capabilities include key words such as western wear, culottes, or designer name. Images of the patterns include the design and the scaled pattern shapes from the pattern envelopes. Records and images can be printed as can lists of patterns sorted by company and pattern number for dating patterns in individual collections. The CDs require Windows 95 or higher. The full set of CDs is $260, the User Manual is $15, individual CDs are $100 each.

For more information, a sample of the database, and order forms, see the website: www.uri.edu/library/special_collections/COPA.

Submitted by Joy Emery

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Due to overwhelming interest, the ETCP Council has extended the application deadline for the first ETCP rigging examinations (arena and theatre) to September 1. Both exams will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2006 in conjunction with the ETS-LDI tradeshow.

Riggers who pass these rigorous tests will become ETCP Certified Riggers and will be recognized as the industry's best. Candidates who pass the examinations in November will be acknowledged as the only members of the "Class of 2005" on the ETCP web site and will be the first ETCP Certified Riggers in North America

In a recent survey of industry employers, 81 percent said they would encourage employees or personnel working in their venues to seek certification in rigging.

Learn more about ETCP certification by visiting etcp.esta.org, calling 212-244-1505, or e-mailing certification@esta.org.

The rigging certifications are designed for highly experienced riggers (rigging supervisors, high steel riggers, flypersons, etc.). Qualified riggers can apply for either one or both exams. Individuals must meet eligibility requirements to apply.

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OISTAT, the International Organization of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians has moved closer to relocating its Secretariat to Asia. On June 5, OISTAT President Michael Ramsaur and Taiwan Council for Cultural Affairs (TCCA) Minister Dr. Chi-Nan Chen signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This MOU forms the basis of a final agreement for 10 years of funding to transfer the Secretariat from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Taipei, Taiwan.

This will be the first time the OISTAT Secretariat will be located outside Europe.

The signing was fittingly held at the Theatre Institute in Prague. Prague was the original home of the OISTAT Secretariat. The Executive Committee was invited by the Czech OISTAT centre to hold working meetings at the Theatre Institute and celebrate the move.

Jarmila Gabrielova who was OISTAT's Secretariat General from OISTAT's founding in 1968 through 1992 when the Secretariat moved to Amsterdam, attended the ceremony and presented the TCCA with the original founding documents of the organization.

USITT is the United States Centre of OISTAT and has always been a strong supporter of the organization. USITT has hosted numerous Commission meetings as well as the 2005 OISTAT World Congress.

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