The Conservation Center

The Conservation Center  Conserving Art Coast to Coast  December 2013 Newsletter Holly, jolly! As we approach the burst of energy that is the end of the year, The Conservation Center has much to celebrate. In this issue of our newsletter, we're spotlighting some inspiring projects that we've recently completed: delicate hand-carved frame work for a sacred Madonna and Childpainting; the rediscovery of a rare painting by legendary rocker Frank Zappa; and a fundraising campaign in collaboration with The Springfield Art Association to restore a historical piece of furniture. At this time, all of us at The Conservation Center would also like to extend our warmest wishes to each of you, and hope this holiday season is filled with family, friends, and plenty of opportunities to reflect and recharge. See you next year!     A Refreshed Frame for   Madonna and Child Just in time for the holidays, The Conservation Center completed extensive conservation frame work for a beautiful Madonna and Childpainting for the Diocese of Rockford collection. Josh McCauley, The Center's Associate Conservator of Frames and Gilding, carved out new decorations by hand, showing off his true attention to detail and expert craftsmanship.   See Josh's handiwork for Madonna and Child frame >  A Renewed Appreciation for Frank Zappa What happened in 1961? John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president of the United States; "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by The Shirelles was a #1 hit; and the non-dairy creamer was one of the greatest inventions of the year. It was also the time when a budding young musician named Frank Zappa discovered his artistic creativity and painted Horny. More than five decades later, the painting made its way to The Conservation Center, where we restored the masterpiece to its original glory. More on the "Mother of Invention" and how we conserved his work >      Kickstarting a Lincoln "Courting Couch" With The Springfield Art Association The Springfield Art Association (SAA) of Springfield, Illinois, is looking towards the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to raise money for the restoration of the couch on which Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd sat during the early part of their courtship. The Conservation Center is thrilled to be the official conservator for this historical piece of furniture! We'll be documenting the process in the next couple of months and bring you the story early next year. In the meantime, we encourage you to help SAA with its goal and contribute to this campaign. Donation starts as little as $5!   Make a contribution today > Protecting the Rights of Living Artists   You are adjusting a fire claim. Fine art has been damaged by smoke and water. The artist is still living and insists on deciding whether to repair or replace the painting. How do you proceed? Learn about The Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 (VARA) and how this law might affect your fine arts claims adjustment.   More Info on VARA > Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! The Conservation Center will be closed on Christmas Day,December 25, and New Year's Day, January 1. #fineartmagazine