Mission and Purpose

West Lake Conservators is dedicated to bringing the highest quality, skilled care to the conservation of paintings, works of art on paper, photographic materials and their frames. Our commitment is to be the best at what we do. Therefore, countless hours in training, research, seminars, conferences, and work exchanges have been, and continue to be, spent with other professional conservators from across the United States and around the world. Our studies have taken us as far away as The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia and as close to home as The John D. Barrow Art Gallery in downtown Skaneateles. West Lake Conservators was founded by Chief Conservator Susan S. Blakney in 1975 with two core values: the crucial importance of collaborative treatment proposal and planning, and the combined use of traditional and modern methods and materials. Collaboration allows conservators to build upon each other’s work ensuring advanced treatment options and consistent quality control. West Lake Conservators ensures that all staff is trained in traditionally accepted techniques. New materials and techniques are constantly compared to these and are used appropriately after research and testing is done. Staff members at West Lake Conservators reqularly attend professional development courses, conventions, and seminars, and remain active with the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) discussions. West Lake Conservators contributes to the field by carrying out research and presenting papers and posters at AIC meetings, namely fundamental research in cold lining techniques by D. M. Falvey. West Lake Conservators’ staff members have organized, sponsored, hosted, and presented numerous workshops and lectures promoting the art and science of conservation and are committed to best practices.