Souvenirs serve as tangible memories, mementos carefully chosen during travels to remind us of the places we have explored and the moments we have cherished. This scroll, acquired during a trip to Beijing in 1990, holds personal significance to its owner. "Back then, there was very little foreign tourism in Beijing. There was one tourist hotel - a 60's era socialist concrete structure called the Friendship Hotel. There was one tourist shop where you could purchase with Yuan - the foreign currency. I purchased the scroll because it was beautiful." At a time when foreign tourism in Beijing was low, the acquisition of this artwork was a rare and cherished opportunity. 

Thomas Birch, celebrated for his maritime paintings that encapsulate the essence of American naval history, is considered to be the first "ship portraitist." Born in England to artist William Birch, Thomas Birch (1779 – January 3, 1851) moved to the United States in 1794, settling in Philadelphia. American Ship, an oil on canvas seascape painting measuring 22.5x32.25 inches, is an excellent example of Birch's maritime work. However, the results of time had dimmed its brilliance, prompting its journey to The Conservation Center for treatment.

Renowned Chicago-based artist Kerry James Marshall is a leading figure in contemporary art, celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions. Among his notable exhibitions, his 2022 showcase, "EXQUISITE CORPSE: This Is Not The Game," at Jack Shainman Gallery New York, unveiled a collection of 20 meticulously executed works of art. Among these was Untitled (Exquisite Corpse Lightbulb Cross), a commanding 90 1/2 x 66 1/2 inches (framed) painting, one of four striking acrylic paintings featured in the exhibition.

Art conservation and the legal protection of artists' rights intersect in complex ways, especially with the enactment of the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) in the United States. VARA grants certain rights to artists, including the right to claim authorship of their work and the right to prevent its destruction or alteration under specific circumstances. As art conservation practices evolve, navigating the delicate balance between preserving artistic integrity and ensuring the longevity of artworks becomes increasingly crucial.

Woven within the fabric of the Cass Flag lies a story of patriotism, resilience, and community spirit, dating back to July 3, 1861. Crafted under the dim glow of lanterns by the hands of a determined sewing bee in Cass - now known as Darien, Illinois - this historic artifact embodies the essence of American identity during the tumultuous Civil War era. These days, the Cass Flag is at home in the Old Lace Schoolhouse and Museum under the guardianship of the Darien Historical Society, and the story of the flag tells the story of the enduring legacy of those who shaped its history.

To kick off the new year, we held our annual art competition amongst our talented staff this January. The entire staff was invited to enter the competition, using any method, form, material, or approach they preferred to capture the theme of “make me laugh.” Creations were submitted, and after our vote, we are proud to share the winning entry from Tony Capone, Associate Art Handler! Tied for runner-up are entries by Jesús Mejia, Conservation Services Director, and Suju Park, Client Services Assistant. Cheers to 2024!

The Conservation Center was honored to host Ana Belaval from Chicago’s WGN Morning News Around Town segment on January 31, 2024. Click to watch “Around Town checks out The Conservation Center.”

The Conservation Center was recently featured in URMIAInsights, the online publication by URMIA, University Risk Management and Insurance Association. URMIA is uniquely dedicated to the advancement of the profession of risk management in higher education. URMIA provides community, education, and resources to an international community of almost 3,000 members. The article “Safeguarding Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of Strategies for Preservation, Digitization, and Archival Storage” was written by former staff member of The Conservation Center, Catharine Murphy. Click Here to Read Safeguarding Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of Strategies for Preservation, Digitization, and Archival Storage

Shipping damage to sculptures can be a significant concern, as sculptures are often delicate and can be easily damaged during transit if not adequately protected and handled. Take, for example, these two sculptures portraying polo players from the Tang Dynasty, a historic imperial era in China spanning from 618 to 907 CE. These sculptures capture the dynamic nature of the sport, showcasing horses in full mid-stride gallop, their riders poised for play. Notably, the use of distinct colors on each figure signifies their affiliation with opposing teams, adding visual depth to these artifacts.

Salvador Dalí, a luminary of surrealism, left an indelible mark on the art world with his eccentric and dreamlike creations. Dalí was born and died in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain (1904 - 1989) and was known to admire another famous Spanish artist, painter Diego Velázquez (1599 - 1660). In fact, the only model Dalí acknowledges himself to have had is Velázquez, and this etching titled Velázquez "captures the nobility and grandeur of this fine artist."

In the ever-expanding world of art appreciation, one couple's journey led them to antique stores, where they discovered a love for art that spoke to them. Their acquisitions weren't driven by fortune but by the simple joy of finding pieces that resonated with their souls. Their approach was refreshingly unscripted — "looking for things we don't know we need." Their method involved purchasing pieces and researching conservation firms for treatment, and this journey would lead them to The Conservation Center.

This year, The Conservation Center celebrated its 40th anniversary. This is a notable moment in time to reflect. What we do every day at The Center is fine-tuning our "practice" of living a life of perfecting our process in our field. It is a living, breathing entity that brings us tremendous pride. The pride stems back to the foundation of principles and ethics, which is at the core of our daily decisions, actions, and processes.

Filled with seasonal charm and details, "Winter Sled Scene," attributed to Ukrainian-Russian artist Stepan Kolesnikoff (1879-1955), presents a quaint winter village scene. This gouache on paper board, measuring 21 inches high by 27 inches wide, arrived at The Conservation Center within a frame, bearing the marks of time and handling.

Within a family's history lie four unique pieces, each exuding its charm—a pair of Ostrich Egg Goblets with griffin stems and a set of Tree Frog Bowls embellished with Quartz. These artifacts have endured the passage of time, bearing the marks of age while witnessing generations of a family's history. These four items held a pride of place in a grandmother's formal living space where they silently weathered the years, bearing marks of unintentional neglect—dislodged pieces hastily reattached, a gentle patina settling upon them, telling tales of age and use.

With 30,000+ newsletter readers and 8,500+ Instagram followers, we love providing our community with a look into our world of conservation. Looking back at 2023, here are our most popular videos of the year!

“Marilyn Katz served on The Conservation Center's Advisory Board since 2004, but more importantly, Marilyn was my dear friend. I could go into great depth with her achievements and graciousness in serving The Center over so many years, but I would prefer to focus on who she was as a person.”

"The Bust of Venus was originally part of my father's art collection. My father collected old European master paintings, a few busts, European swords, Persian carpets, etc. My father acquired this bust when I was very young and when it was passed down to me, it unfortunately encountered damage during shipment." For the client, repairing this exquisite bust was more than just a preservation effort; it was a poignant way of safeguarding the memory of their father and preserving a piece of their family's history. Seeking to have the sculpture professionally repaired, the client entrusted The Conservation Center with the delicate task of conserving the Bust of Venus.

"River Scene, 1915," attributed to the Ukrainian-American painter Sam Ostrowsky, holds within its strokes the legacy of a talented artist and the tales of generations of owners. Purchased by the client's grandparents during one of their many travels, she remembers it hanging in their Minneapolis home and later adorning the walls of her parent's home. Ostrowsky, who immigrated to the United States in 1903 to live in Chicago and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, added depth to its significance. "Several years ago, I had an appraiser look at it... The appraiser thought the picture may actually have depicted the Chicago River back in 1915. Although we don't know for sure, I have always loved the fact that the painting found its way back to Chicago."

The Conservation Center is featured In the HuffPost article “Experts Explain Why You Should Use Conservation-Quality Glass To Protect Your Old Photos” By Haley Zovickian.