An Introduction to Art Conservation: A Program with Susan Blakney
March 16, 2023, 2:00 pm -
Susan Blakney, Founder and Chief Conservator, Westlake Conservators
Join Historic Geneva and Geneva Reads for a program by Susan Blakney of Westlake Conservators on the basics of art conservation. In this introduction to conservation, Susan will discuss what a conservator does, the difference between conservation and restoration, the science behind conservation, and the treatment process. The program is part of Geneva Reads' art-themed Community Read. This year's adult book is the novel, The Last Painting of Sara De Vos by Dominic Smith, about the intersecting stories of a 17th-century artist and a contemporary curator. It will be held at the Geneva History Museum in the Hucker Gallery.
Susan Blakney is the founder and Chief Conservator at West Lake Conservators in Skaneateles. West Lake is a nationally recognized firm specializing in the preservation and restoration of historic and artistic works including conservation of paintings, frames, murals, paper and photographic materials. A paintings conservator, Susan received a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of Kentucky in 1969. After a six-year apprenticeship concentrating in 17th c. Old Masters in London, England, Susan returned to the States and established Westlake in 1975.
Susan is among 61 trained National Heritage Responders (NHR) nationwide. She volunteered to survey cultural damage following Hurricane Katrina, was deployed to Galveston, Texas after hurricane Ike, and to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Susan also has a long career of public outreach and education.
Geneva Reads will hold art-themed programs and workshops throughout the month of March. A full schedule of events is available at the Geneva Public Library and at Geneva Reads.
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