The Art Conservators Studio - In the Planning Phase

Conservators Advisory Board

Works of art transcend time and cultures, in the sense that a veneration for them is passed down from generation to generation, both in private collections and public museums, with a constant adventitious flow as works of art change ownerships and migrate to new locations and new cultural settings. This assumes that works of art will survive the vagaries of fate while they are being moved and cared for.

Conservators of works of art have deeply emotional reasons why they dedicate so much of their lives to conserving them. Through the benefit of the passage of time, they have developed a veneration for works of art and their historical context. Their interest runs in parallel with that of artists, collectors, patrons, art historians, and curators. In a very real sense, conservators understand how intimately they are "partnered" with artists of bygone eras by faithfully conserving their works.

Partnering a conservators studio within the museum setting of an academically-focused organization is logical, in that the studio can serve the needs of the museum, while also serving the needs of collectors of works of art.

The studio's role in relationship building ... Clients of the conservators studio at Eagle Hill will be able come by periodically to enjoy the museums’s fine art collection of 17th through 19th century works of art, come for lectures on aspects of art, and stay for dinner on event nights, all of which contribute to leisurely discreet relationship-building moments among guests who enjoy sharing their passion for the arts.

Getting started

Educational seminars ... Since the institute is strongly committed to teaching, a logical first step toward continuing to set the stage for phasing in the conservation studio is to expand its offering of seminars that are of interest to conservators.

Acquiring equipment ... Early efforts can focus on equipment needed to conserve paintings that have relatively modest issues, e.g., ones that have a darkened varnish layer, losses of paint, a modest structural tear or puncture, or that need re-lining on a vaccuum table. With stepped acquisition of equipment, the capabilities of the studio will grow over time, as needs and opportunities present themselves.

Residencies for conservators ... When the studio is first opened, it can provide opportunities for conservators with private commissions who would welcome a change of venue by retreating to the coast of eastern Maine on a residency basis to conserve paintings of their choice within a well-equipped studio.

The venerable tradition of internships ... The conservation of works of art is a skill that is best slowly mastered over time under the patient guidance of master conservators who are amenable to mentoring interns.