The conservators at the Toledo Museum of Art cordially invite you to view the fascinating work they do to preserve artworks for future generations to enjoy. TMA conservators Suzanne Hargrove (Head of Conservation),Marissa Stevenson (Kress Fellow, Multi-Media Textiles), and Emily Cummins (Mellon Fellow, Objects) are responsible for the direct care of artworks with the use of technical research, scientific analysis, and fine hand skills. Their work involves detailed examination, analytical testing, the treatment of artwork, and much more. Their activities can include anything from repairing damaged textiles with thread smaller than a single human hair and recreating damaged gold surfaces, to reassembling ancient ceramics. 

Often conservators’ work is done behind closed doors, hidden from public view as they treat artworks to ready them for display or loan. Now you will have the chance to see them working in a visible conservation lab in Canaday Gallery, where they will be treating works that have been affected by time, artist technique, human use, and previous repair. Visitors will have the opportunity to ask questions about current treatment projects, the field of conservation, and collections care. Join them as they conserve and repair Marisol’s multi-figure sculpture The Party, an ancient Greek ceramic piece, quilts by the African American quilting community of Gee’s Bend, and many other artworks from the TMA collection.

The Art of Conservation is sponsored in part by 2021 Exhibition Program Sponsors Taylor Cadillac and ProMedica, with additional support from the Ohio Arts Council and the Samuel H. Kress Foundation.

Watch Restoring TMA’s Mechanical Bird Box with Brittany Nicole Cox here.