If you’re not familiar with SUNY Buffalo State’s Art Conservation Department, you should be. Members of the department have been working hard on restoring irreplaceable works of art, including a number of high profile artworks. If you’ve passed by the scagliola along Peacock Alley in the Hotel @ The Lafayette, then you have seen some of the work accomplished by SUNY students and faculty.
On Saturday October 17, from 11 am to 2 pm, the public is invited to pay a visit to SUNY Buffalo State, to see firsthand the work that is underway at the Art Conservation Department. The department is housed at Rockwell Hall, within a newly renovated space that was designed by Samuel Anderson Architects, NYC. Architectural Resources of Buffalo was the project architect that contracted the conservation work out to the NYC firm, based on the team’s extensive experience in this area.
“The Open House is when our students and faculty have original historic and artistic works out on display that are undergoing conservation and restorative treatments,” said Patrick Ravines, Director & Associate Professor
of the Art Conservation Department. “Visitors are able to see and engage the students and faculty about what is going on, how the conservation treatments are decided and executed, and all the science and technology involved in the preservation of these valuable items. This is the first time we are holding the Open House on a Saturday and, hopefully, this will be better for more Buffalonians. We used to hold them on Friday evenings.”
The department’s expanded and renovated offices, classrooms and labs have allowed for a number of programs to flourish, including:
- State-of-the-art Paper Conservation suite
- Dedicated space for specialized treatments in both photograph and rare book conservation
- An expanded Conservation Imaging studio and digital darkroom
- Specialized department library and archives with over 4,000 conservation texts and journals for student research
The conservation program at Buff State is world renowned, with graduating students going on to accomplish remarkable restoration feats. Recently, one graduate found himself face-to-face with restoring the most recognized space ship known to man – the USS Enterprise (see story here, and video below).
Now is your chance to get to know this fascinating department that is creating such a buzz in Buffalo, and around the world. Learn about what it takes to restore priceless works of art. Find out about the department’s Annual Conservation Clinic, and how to retain the services of experts involved in the Scientific Analysis Program. Or simply open your eyes to the world of art that rarely gets seen – the behind the scenes restoration process that puts Buffalo on the map for professional restorative services that any city would clamor to have.
Art Conservation Open House | SUNY Buffalo State | Rockwell Hall | Second Floor | Saturday, October 17, 2015 | 11am – 2pm | Free and open to the public