The conservation professional is dedicated to the long-term preservation of art and other cultural property and is responsible for the examination, documentation, preventative care, treatment and restoration of these materials. For more information about the profession or for referrals to practicing conservators, contact the American Institute for Conservation (AIC).
[aic.stanford.edu]

The staff of the National Museum of African Art facility, which houses a state-of- the-art conservation laboratory has established and continues to refine conservation procedures unique to the care of African art. Conservation activities are integrated into every aspect of the museum's operation“acquisitions, exhibitions, education, and overall collections care. These activities include documenting the condition of all collection objects, treating objects, assessing the condition and previous restoration of potential acquisitions, maintaining optimal exhibition/storage conditions for preserving artifacts, executing collections-based research, conducting educational tours of the lab and preparing interns for formal conservation training.
[aic.stanford.edu/education/becoming/]

Recent departmental highlights include developing treatment for a unique Liberian hunter's ceremonial costume, investigations into the media of classical African art, and the analysis of the deterioration processes for two contemporary works in the museum's collection.

A complete x-radiography system with digital imaging is currently being installed in the department. This equipment will enhance the museum's ability to thoroughly examine objects for evidence of manufacturing techniques and previous restorations.

An exhaustive look at the conservation process is detailed within the Ethiopian Icons exhibition.

The department often works in conjunction with the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research & Education and other SI bureaus to analyze African art materials, investigate manufacturing processes and resolve treatment problems. In turn, the department serves as a national and international authority on the conservation of African art.
[www.si.edu/scmre/]

Conservation clinics
1:30 - 4 p.m., third Thursday of the last month of the quarter
(Feb., May, Aug., Nov., 2008)
Registration required; call 202.633.4640
Conservators advise the public on the proper care of their collections. Limit two objects per visit; preference is extended to first-time participants. Please register well in advance of the date you wish to attend as these clinics are limited in terms of participants and they tend to fill up quickly.

Conservation staff
Stephen P. Mellor, Chief Conservator
George Washington University, BA (1976); Winterthur Museum/University of Delaware Art Conservation program, MS (1981)

Stephanie E. Hornbeck, Conservator
Wellesley College, BA (1990); Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, MA in Art History and Diploma in Conservation (1999)

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