Allison Jackson has worked as a frame conservator for some of New England’s premier conservation laboratories, including those at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and the Harvard Art Museums. After learning the trade from her mother, Susan, Allison completed a studio art degree at the University of Vermont. She further honed her skills working in a number of private conservation studios in Greater Boston and through an apprenticeship with a master carpenter in Hawaii. Upon her return to New England, Allison was hired by the Museum of Fine Arts to conserve and catalogue their frame collections prior to the opening of their American Wing. As a frame conservator at the Harvard Art Museums’ Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, she performed conservation treatments on a wide range of frames that are now on view in the museums’ renovated facility. Currently, Allison continues to share her expertise with the Harvard Art Museums, the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum, the Harvard Art studio, and other institutions.
“As I literally grew up with a gilding studio in my backyard, my interest was sparked early on. I feel lucky to work in a field where I am surrounded by incredible works of art on a daily basis, and enjoy how working on an object gives you an intimate understanding of its life, which often spans many generations.”
Wenda Kochinowski has over 12 years’ experience in the field of conservation as a furniture conservator, specializing in finishes and coatings. She has treated American and European furniture and wood objects from the 17th to the 20th century for both museums and private collectors and has had the privilege of working with a number of well-respected conservators in the Boston area.
“I like that every object has a history and a life that it has lived from maker to its owners. It is very satisfying to preserve the fine craftsmanship of these pieces, maintain their history and extend their life.”
Nicole Ledoux is an objects conservator with a broad range of experience treating archaeological, historical, and fine art objects. Her areas of expertise include objects made of wood, painted surfaces, gilding, mixed media, ceramic, leather, basketry, plastics, and feathers. She earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Harvard University, and a Master’s degree in Conservation from the UCLA/Getty program in Los Angeles. From there, she went on to work at the Harvard Art Museums’ Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies, first as a Samuel H. Kress Conservation Fellow and more recently as a Project Conservator. She has also worked and trained at the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Hearst Museum of Anthropology at UC Berkeley, and at archaeological sites in Jordan, Germany, and Italy.
“I love the process of devising treatment solutions for complex objects, while developing a deep understanding of the physical, aesthetic, and intangible qualities inherent in each piece.”
Sally Carrona contributes administrative and photographic services to Harvard Art drawing on a variety of skills honed during her career in advertising and media planning. Her formal education was in Communication, she holds a B.S. from Boston University’s College of Communication with a concentration in History.
“I enjoy the photographic challenges each frame brings to the studio, they are all unique and interesting in their size, shape, sheen, color, ornate details or none. I appreciate the history and the craftsmanship in each frame, and I strive to document with photos the incredible transformation that takes place in the studio.”