When I first started researching private local art conservators Karen Zukor’s name came up over and over. We have been emailing back and forth over these last few months and this past weekend, I along with other curious souls attended a lab tour of her studio. It was my first official visit to a conservation studio and it was wonderful. Karen gave a great talk on her apprentice trained background and determination to make it as a private conservator. She talked extensively about training and provided us pamphlets of information to get us going in the right direction.
Even better was her current intern, Kimi Taira, was there to really gives us great advice on her experience and how she got into conservation. Kimi also works at the Asian Art Museum as a conservation technician and is on her last semester of organic chemistry. It was so great to hear her tale and hard work paying off for something she loves.
Karen also gave us a demonstration of washing paper, checking pH balance and solar bleaching. She handed out informational pamphlets from Gaylord, who specializes paper, photographs, textiles and book care in libraries. She also gave me a list on local book conservators to contact that she has had good experience with.
Some fun things the studio is currently working on is one of the original illustrations from Charlotte's Web, of Wilbur crying, by Garth Williams. Also, an original illustration by Arthur Szyk, which was absolutely amazing to examine the brush strokes up close.
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