A History of over 50 Years of SUNY Buffalo State’s Paintings Conservation Education

Abstract

ABSTRACTPaintings conservation education at State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo State University has evolved over the last 50 years. The foundation and beginnings of the art conservation program at SUNY Buffalo State University is described through the lens of paintings conservation. The first section details the background of paintings conservators Sheldon Keck and Caroline Keck in their conservation approaches and their key roles in developing the Cooperstown conservation training program at SUNY Oneonta. The original curriculum developed by the Kecks and as it relates to paintings conservation is also explored. The second section discusses the additional paintings faculty members, the move of the program from Cooperstown to Buffalo, the new facilities, as well as the later years of graduate education in paintings conservation, culminating with the effects of the pandemic and recent developments.RÉSUMÉL'enseignement de la conservation-restauration des peintures à l'Université d'État de New York (SUNY) Buffalo State University a évolué au cours des 50 dernières années. La fondation et les débuts du programme de conservation-restauration des œuvres d'art à la SUNY Buffalo State University sont décrits sous l'angle de la conservation-restauration des peintures. La première section détaille la formation et l'expérience professionnelle des restaurateurs de peintures Sheldon Keck et Caroline Keck, leurs approches de la conservation et leurs rôles clés dans le développement du programme de formation en conservation-restauration de Cooperstown à SUNY Oneonta. Le programme d'études original développé par les Keck dans son rapport avec la conservation-restauration des peintures est également exploré. La deuxième section aborde les membres supplémentaires de la faculté de peinture, le déménagement du programme de Cooperstown à Buffalo, les nouvelles installations, ainsi que les dernières années de la formation supérieure en conservation-restauration des peintures, avec en point d'orgue les effets de la pandémie et les développements récents. Traduction: Monique Benoit.RESUMOA educação para a conservação de pinturas na State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo State University evoluiu nos últimos 50 anos. A fundação e o início do programa de conservação de arte na SUNY Buffalo State University são descritos através das lentes da conservação de pinturas. A primeira seção detalha o histórico dos conservadores de pinturas Sheldon Keck e Caroline Keck em suas abordagens de conservação e seus papéis-chave no desenvolvimento do programa de treinamento em conservação de Cooperstown na SUNY Oneonta. O currículo original desenvolvido pelos Kecks no que se refere à conservação de pinturas também é explorado. A segunda seção discute os professores de pinturas adicionais, a mudança do programa de Cooperstown para Buffalo, as novas instalações, bem como os recentes anos de pós-graduação em conservação de pinturas, culminando com os efeitos da pandemia e desenvolvimentos recentes. Traduzido por Francisco Vieira.RESUMENLa enseñanza de la conservación de pintura de caballete en la Universidad Estatal en Búfalo, Nueva York (SUNY) ha evolucionado en los últimos cincuenta años. Los cimientos e inicios del programa de conservación de arte en la institución se describen en este artículo desde el punto de vista de la conservación de pintura de caballete. En la primera parte se detallan los antecedentes y enfoques de Sheldon Keck y Caroline Keck, conservadores de pintura de caballete, y la importancia de sus roles en el desarrollo del programa de capacitación en conservación de Cooperstown en SUNY Oneonta. También se explora el programa original desarrollado por los Keck en cuanto se refiere a la conservación de pintura de caballete. En la segunda sección se discute la incorporación de nuevos miembros a la facultad de pintura de caballete, el traslado del programa de Cooperstown a Búfalo, las nuevas instalaciones, así como los últimos años de educación de posgrado en conservación de pintura de caballete y culmina con los efectos de la pandemia y los avances más recientes. Traducción: Mirasol Estrada; revisión: Amparo Rueda e Irene Delaveris.KEYWORDS: Art conservationpaintings conservationconservation educationart conservation historySUNY Buffalo State AcknowledgementsThe authors thank faculty and former faculty and graduates of the program, especially James Hamm, Dan Kushel, Jonathan Thornton, David Miller, Linda Witkowski, Rob Proctor, Jill Whitten, Maria Sullivan, Tracy Dulniak, and Erica Schuler, for their recollections, emails, ideas, and interviews, and wonderful discussions about the program’s history; Dr. Gregory Dale Smith, Dr. Aaron Shugar, Rebecca Rushfield, and the FAIC archives.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1 The program was renamed The Patricia H. and Richard E. Garman Art Conservation Program in the spring of 2017 following a donation by Patricia H. and Richard E. Garman. The Garmans had previously visited the department for demonstrations and had several of their artworks treated by students of the program.2 The Cooperstown Graduate Programs consisted of the Museum Studies and the American Folk Culture Programs from inception in 1964 through 1970 when Art Conservation joined as the third program. The programs were affiliated with the New York State Historical Association and with the SUNY College at Oneonta which awarded Masters level degrees to graduates of the Programs. In 1983 the Conservation Program was brought under the aegis of SUNY Buffalo State, leaving the Cooperstown Graduate Program group administratively. In 1987 the conservation program was physically transferred to the Buffalo campus. The American Folk Culture Program closed in 1979 and the Museum Studies Program continues to this day.3 This was made possible through the generous contribution of alumni of the class of 1980 and the Nord Family Foundation.Additional informationNotes on contributorsFiona T. BeckettFiona Beckett is the assistant professor of paintings conservation at the Garman Art Conservation Department at the State University of New York Buffalo State University. She holds a master’s degree in conservation with a specialization in paintings from Queen’s University and a BFA Honors from the University of Ottawa. Fiona has held positions at the Indianapolis Museum of Art as the Clowes Conservator of Paintings and the National Gallery of Canada as the Director’s Fellow in Conservation. E-mail: becketft@buffalostate.edu. Address: Art Conservation, SUNY Buffalo State University, 230 Rockwell Hall, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222, USAMeredeth LavelleMeredeth Lavelle went to the University of Buffalo where she earned an MA in art history with a minor in museum studies. She was a publications editor at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and a lecturer at Niagara County Community College before joining the Garman Art Conservation Department in 2002. Meredeth is currently the program manager where she is responsible for everything from grant writing and fundraising to budgets, events, and social media accounts. She also received the President’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service from Buffalo State University in 2019. E-mail: lavellma@buffalostate.edu.