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A man turns the nobs of a box sitting atop a small black and white tv monitor.
Time-Based MediaConservation10/25/2024
See You Later, Wobbulator
Connecting artist Nam June Paik, his archive at SAAM, conservation, and SAAM's video game program
SAAM
An art conservator holds a vacuum nozzle on a piece of artwork.
From the CollectionConservation05/01/2024
Caring for an American Art Treasure
A peek into the world of conservation and the meticulous care of James Hampton’s The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly.
Photo Anna Nielsen
Anna Nielsen
Conservation Program Coordinator
Eliza Macdonald
Katya Zinsli
Detail of a wooden carving of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores (Our Lady of Sorrows). She is looking up and away with her hands clasped in prayer.
Conservation02/15/2024
Conservation of Wooden Figures from the Vidal Collection
Conservation methods reveal layers of history behind Puerto Rican Santos.
Briana Teran
Photograph of two conservators working on a canvas.
ExhibitionsFrom the Collection09/19/2023
Technology Catches Up: A Conservation Story About Morris Louis’s Painting Beta Upsilon
The development of a new laser technology allowed for the successful conservation treatment and return of this important color field painting to public view
Photo Anna Nielsen
Anna Nielsen
Conservation Program Coordinator
Two conservators, both wearing masks, re-dress the Gladys doll.
ExhibitionsConservation11/10/2022
Possum Trot Dolls Get a Wardrobe Refresh
SAAM’s conservators find the delicate balance between original work and restoration through two dolls
Leah Bright
Conservator wearing a head lamp, shines light on a mural.
From the CollectionWomen Artists10/14/2022
Using 3D Imaging To Preserve Chicana Artist Judy Baca’s Mural Uprising of the Mujeres
A behind-the-scenes look at how 3D imaging helps a mural conservator preserve Judy Baca's Uprising of the Mujeres.
Wendy Rose
Detail of a mural showing an indigenous woman at the forefront of a scene of farmworkers
From the CollectionOne Smithsonian10/04/2022
Judy Baca On Her Mural Uprising of the Mujeres
SAAM talks with the artist about her inspirations and the process of creating a portable mural
Wendy Rose
A photograph of Claudia Zapata
Claudia Zapata
Former Curatorial Assistant of Latinx Art
Conservator pulling a print from the sink of water
ExhibitionsConservation04/14/2022
Refreshing a View of Venice: How Paper Conservators Clean a Print
SAAM conservator Kate Maynor explains the delicate process of washing paper
Kate Maynor
Roman glass bowl
ExhibitionsConservation04/01/2022
A Fragile Roman Mosaic Glass Bowl Reveals Its Secrets
Go behind-the-scenes with conservators who make a fascinating discovery about a rarely seen Roman glass bowl
Katya Zinsli
A Byzantine necklace
ExhibitionsFrom the Collection12/08/2021
The Mystery Around a Byzantine-style Necklace
Uncovering the secrets of one of SAAM’s treasures
A photograph of a woman standing in an art gallery with busts behind her.
Ariel O'Connor
Objects Conservator
Sarah Montonchaikul
A Still-Life of yellow and green sunflowers on a gray background
From the CollectionConservation08/25/2021
Making William H. Johnson’s Sunflowers Bloom Again
SAAM's conservation fellow explores the extra challenges of treating an iconic artwork during the pandemic
Saki Kunikata
Two views of a painting under different lighting conditions.
From the CollectionConservation07/08/2021
Using Science to Uncover Secrets of Alma Thomas
Conservators at SAAM uncover new aspects of the influential artist’s work
Amber Kerr
Sydney Nikolaus
A painting of three men shaking hands
Conservation11/02/2020
Unpacking and Preserving William H. Johnson’s Fighters for Freedom Series
Explore William H. Johnson’s powerful “Fighters for Freedom” series through the lens of a conservator.
Keara Teeter
A video game display
Conservation08/14/2020
Level Up: Playing to Document and Preserve Video Games
Ever wonder what it takes to conserve and preserve video games? Our collections care initiative fellow at SAAM tells us how.
Shu-Wen Lin
A photograph of a mastodon fossil inside a building.
Conservation04/29/2020
Mysteries of the First Mastodon
Conservator Ariel O'Connor unearths the mysteries behind Charles Willson Peale’s mastodon.
A photograph of a woman standing in an art gallery with busts behind her.
Ariel O'Connor
Objects Conservator
A woman standing by a podium
Conservation04/21/2020
Stemming the Tide: A Call to Climate Action for Cultural Heritage
Looking at climate change and cultural heritage worldwide as we honor the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.
Amber Kerr