Gellan Gum: It's Not for Chewing!
Here at The Center, we are always eager to study new methods of treating objects and learn about advancements in the field. That is why we were honored to host the Chicago Area Conservation Group’s Gellan Gum Mini-Workshop on March 13th. The Chicago Area Conservation Group (CACG) is a local group whose purpose is to promote learning and exchange ideas among those interested in or responsible for the preservation of artwork and archives of all kinds.
A Note from Heather Becker, CEO
On November 13th, I gave a presentation on disaster preparedness at the Association of Registrars and Collection Specialists (ARCS) conference in New Orleans. The audience included nearly 700 museum registrars, collection managers, conservators, consultants, appraisers, and art shippers.
Scene and Heard: ALTEREGOS Opening Night at Packer Schopf Gallery, February 20
The bitter cold of February was not enough to keep the crowds away from Packer Schopf Gallery in Chicago's West Loop area on a recent Friday night as more than 200 art enthusiasts turned out for the opening of ALTEREGOS, The Conservation Center’s first employee art exhibition. The scene was hip and welcoming as friends, family, guests, and artists alike sipped wine, chatted, and took in the 30 works of art created by 15 of our immensely talented staff members. As the evening progressed, the mood began shifting from an excited anticipation to a more relaxed and fun atmosphere. Besides the success of the great turnout, it was a unique experience for The Center's staff to interact, come together, and be given the chance to enjoy each other’s creativity.
ALTEREGOS: Artists From The Conservation Center
The Springfield Art Association Unveils Newly Restored Lincoln “Courting Couch”
More than 150 esteemed guests filled Springfield Art Association’s M.G. Nelson Family Gallery on February 11—one day before Lincoln’s Birthday—to unveil the Lincoln “Courting Couch,” which was newly restored by The Conservation Center. Erika Holst, Springfield Art Association’s Curator of Collections, gave a lively presentation of the loveseat’s history before guests got up close and personal with the sofa that sparked romance between Abraham and Mary Todd.
Crash the SAA party and view pics >
We Came, We Saw, We EXPOed
The Conservation Center team was on call during EXPO CHICAGO weekend (September 19-23) to assist dealers with unexpected art or framing emergencies during the fair. Our educational booth this year--which featured a magnificent Ellsworth Kelly work on paper and an eye-catching James Rosenquist painting, both generously lent to us by private collectors--brought in many of our old friends along with new audiences. See you next year, EXPO CHICAGO!
Highlights from TCC's 30th Anniversary Open House
The Conservation Center's private reception on September 12 welcomed such esteemed guests as Roxanne Decyk, Christie Hefner, Richard Hunt, Tony Karman, Steve Koch, Arlene Semel, and Joan Steel to help celebrate our three decades of achievements. We'd like to thank all who attended and made our event a huge success!
The Glessner House Museum 125th Anniversary Gala & Upcoming Christmas Candlelight Tours
Grand Opening of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The Conservation Center often assists museums, institutions, foundations and non-profit organizations with the presentation and care of their collections. Aside from providing a wide array of conservation services, The Center's experts are always on hand to consult on long-term preservation planning, on the display, packing, transport and long-term storage of collections, or to help formulate Disaster Response plans. Our conservators are also brought in on projects to provide courier services and condition reports for lending institutions, or to help with the final stages of exhibition preparation.
