Rob Datum, Associate Paintings Conservator

Professional Experience

The Conservation Center, Chicago, IL 2003-Present
Associate Conservator of Paintings

Responsible for all aspects of conservation in the treatment of paintings under the direction of Senior Conservator. Including examination, photo-documentation, cleaning, structural and technical treatment, inpainting, and varnishing.

Mural conservation – installation/ deinstallation of large scale murals, full treatments.

The Conservation Center, Chicago, IL 2000-2003
Assistant Conservator of Paintings

Responsible for structural aspects of painting conservation under the direction of Painting Conservator.

Mural Conservation – installation/deinstallation of large scale murals under the direction of Mural Conservator.

The Conservation Center, Chicago, IL 1997-2000
Assistant to the Conservator

Assisted with structural aspects of conservation for Painting Conservator.

Terry Dowd Incorporated, Chicago, IL 1993-1997
Senior Art Handler and Crew Chief of Installations

Responsible for facilitation, installation and custom traveling exhibition packing in conjunction with local conservators. Clients included Sarah Lee Collection, Art Institute of Chicago, Detroit Institute of Art, Indiana University Museum. 

Transportation of local and national traveling museum exhibitions. Including Claude Monet retrospective exhibit, The Art Institute of Chicago, 1995.

Education

Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD 1985-1989
Dean’s List 1985-1989, Bachelors of Fine Arts.

Norwich Academy of Fine Arts, Norwich, CT 1984-1985
Specializing in Fine Art and Art History, including all aspects thereof.

Special Projects

Chicago Public Schools & Chicago Park District Field Houses, Mural Projects, 1998-present.
Bacardi Mural Project, Bermuda, 1999.

Professional Associations

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), Professional Associate, 2008-present.

American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), Painting Specialty Group, Associate 2005-2008.

Western Association for Fine Art Conservation (WAAC), Member 2004-present.

Chicago Area Conservation Guild (CACG), Member 2003-present.

Workshops

“The Modular Cleaning Program: A Systematic Approach to Cleaning Artworks,” The Chicago Conservation Center, March 2008

“Mastering Inpainting,” Campbell Center, 2007