Our Mission
West Lake Art Conservation Center safeguards the cultural heritage of Central New York and beyond through expert conservation treatment, research, and education. We partner with museums, historical societies, libraries, and private collectors to preserve artworks and objects for future generations, combining technical excellence with a commitment to transparency, scholarship, and public trust.
Our Story: From Legacy to Leadership
West Lake Art Conservation Center (WLACC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage. For 50 years, we’ve served as a trusted conservation lab in Central New York, partnering with museums, institutions, and private collectors across the Northeast to protect and care for historic and artistic works.
Founded in 1975 by paintings conservator Susan Blakney, WLACC began as West Lake Conservators—a pioneering private practice in the Finger Lakes at a time when professional conservation services were virtually unknown in the region. Susan, a Fellow of both the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and the International Institute for Conservation (IIC), built the practice with her sister and business partner, Margaret Sutton, an expert in painting supports and lining techniques. Together, they shaped a legacy of excellence, mentorship, and regional service. Today, Executive Director Joey Foster Ellis—an internationally trained conservator and artist—leads WLACC into its next chapter, expanding its mission to include public engagement, education, and cultural leadership.
A New Chapter in Owasco
In 2022, West Lake Conservators transitioned to a nonprofit—West Lake Art Conservation Center. In April 2025, the lab relocated to a new 13,500-square-foot facility overlooking Owasco Lake. Situated on a 250-acre property that will include a public nature preserve, the new WLACC headquarters will house expanded conservation labs, climate-controlled storage, a photography suite, gallery, and educational spaces for workshops, seminars, exhibitions, and community programming. This move reflects our evolving mission: not only to conserve objects, but to foster public engagement with cultural and environmental stewardship.
Core Values
All conservation procedures are carried out in accordance with the American Institute for Conservation’s (AIC) Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice.
Relational conservation We see conservation not just as a technical process, but as a practice of care—rooted in listening, cultural understanding, and long-term responsibility. Every treatment is an act of stewardship, connecting past and future through the objects we preserve.
Collaborative treatment planning We prioritize teamwork—both internally and with our clients—to ensure that each treatment is guided by dialogue, transparency, and shared decision-making.
The integration of traditional and modern methods We honor time-tested techniques while continuously researching and evaluating new materials and technologies. Innovations are adopted only after careful study and testing.
Professional development and knowledge-sharing WLACC staff regularly participate in advanced training, professional conferences, and field exchanges. We are active in discussions hosted by AIC and the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), and contribute to the field through presentations and published research.
Public education and advocacy Through lectures, workshops, and outreach initiatives, we promote the importance of conservation and preservation for communities, institutions, and future generations.
