Members of the public have the chance to see how conservators bring a damaged painting, a watermarked historic document, or a broken ceramic urn back to life during the Art Conservation Department's annual Open House, Friday, October 28, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the second and third floors of Rockwell Hall. This free event provides the only opportunity during the year for the public to visit the Art Conservation Department without an appointment.
During the open house, visitors can ask questions of the graduate program students and professors, including Theresa Smith, '06, the new paper conservation specialist who was hired this summer. Smith and her students are planning to show visitors an early map of Buffalo at the beginning stages of conservation treatments. Other students will be on hand to explain the projects they labor over for one or two years.
“The annual open house provides a tangible way for us to connect with the public,” said Patrick Ravines, associate professor and director of the art conservation program. “Through the demonstrations and visits with our faculty and students, visitors can get a better understanding of what art conservation is and the important work that our students are doing every day.”
One of only three graduate programs of its kind in the country, Buffalo State's art conservation program admits 10 students each year. Graduates of the three-year program find positions with major institutions, including the Smithsonian Institute, the National Gallery of Art, the Library of Congress, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
For more information, call (716) 878-5025 or visit the department website.
Buffalo News article: "Secrets of art conservation shared at open house at Buffalo State"
