Art Conservator Workshop

Broken Ceramics? No Problem!

Presented by: Susan Costello, Art Conservator, Worcester Art Museum

Workshop Description

During this workshop, you will discover what it is like to be an Art Conservator.  This job requires a love of art, a desire to work with your hands and a lot of patience.  We will talk about the various responsibilities of an art conservator and then use this knowledge to put a broken ceramic back together.

Leader’s Job Description

As an art conservator, it is my responsibility to take care of the art objects at the Worcester Art Museum.  I make sure art is displayed safely in the galleries.  This includes how the art is secured and making sure that the levels of light and temperature will not damage the art.  Before the art is put on display in the galleries, it has to be treated, and this is how I spend the majority of my time.  Art needs to be cleaned, broken objects put back together and old repairs re-done to make them look better.  This is where chemistry comes into art conservation.  I need to understand how materials react with each other.  For example, when an art object is cleaned, I have to make sure the chemicals I use do not damage the object.  I also get to travel all over the world.  When a piece of art is borrowed by another museum, I accompany the art to make sure it is safe. 

Advice for Career Path

If you love art, working with your hands and have a lot of patience then art conservation could be the career for you.  In high school, it is best to take chemistry, art history and studio art classes.  In college, any major is fine, but you have to take one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, art history and studio art classes.  Finally, you need to go to graduate school to get a Masters in Art Conservation.