Susan Jackson Head Gilding Conservator
Susan Jackson, Harvard Art’s owner and founder, is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works and has served as a board member of the New England Conservation Association and the Society of Gilders. After learning the craft of gilding from highly respected old master gilders in Boston, Connecticut, and New York, she turned her focus to the conservation of gilded objects.
Over the years, Jackson has continuously sought out experiences that strengthen her knowledge of gilding and conservation. She was the recipient of a French-American Partnership Grant from the American Institute for Conservation, an award that brought a French conservator to the Harvard Art studio to share European craft and conservation skills with Jackson and her team. Additional courses and seminars that Jackson has participated in include:
“Airbrushing for Conservators Workshop,” Wooden Artifacts Group, American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, 2013
“Conserving Context,” Gilding & Decorative Surfaces Group, ICON, London, 2013
“Conservator’s Roundtable: Asian Lacquer,” Preservation Society of Newport County, October 2011
“Picturing the Frame: Attitudes, Context, and Treatment from Conception to Consolidation,” Institute of Conservation (ICON) Conference, London, UK, 2009
“Modular Cleaning Program Workshop,” taught by Chris Stavroudis, hosted by West Lake Conservators, Ltd., Skaneateles, NY, 2009
“The Transforming Power of the Frame: Makers, Marriages & Materials – Exploring American Frames and Frames in America,” Initiatives in Art & Culture Conference, NYC, 2008
“Gesso Recutting Workshop,” Harvard Art with Marie Dubost, AIC French American Partnership Grant, 2006
“Classicism to Expressionism a Synthetic Approach to the Frame,” NYU Frame Conference, NYC, 2004
“Mastering Inpainting,” Workshop given by Debra Evans & James Bernstein – sponsored by New England Conservation Assoc. at the Straus Center for Conservation, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 2003
“Microscopy of Protective and Decorative Coatings,” Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education Workshop, Suitland, MD, 2002
“Global Embrace: Celebrating 500 Years of European Frames,” Conference, New York University, NYC, 2002
“Italian Retouching Methods and Gilding Compensation,” Workshop, Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA, 2002
“Cleaning Workshop,” Worcester Art Museum, Fuller Conservation Lab, taught by Richard Wolbers, Professor of Art Conservation, University of Delaware, 2001
“Gilding, Approaches to Treatment,” English Heritage & UK Institute for Conservation Conference, London, UK, 2000
“History, Technology and Conservation of Painted Finishes,” Conservation Analytical Lab, Smithsonian, Suitland, MD, 1998
“The Centrality of the Edge: American Frames, 1740-1940,” New York University Conference, NYC, 1997
“New Techniques for Building Cleaning Systems,” Workshop at Colonial Williamsburg, VA, taught by Richard Wolbers, Professor of Art Conservation, University of Delaware, 1997
“Gilding on Metal,” American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Symposium, St. Paul, MN, 1995
“Painted Wood,” American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Symposium, Williamsburg, VA, 1994
“The Historic Technology of Picture Frames” & “The Conservation of Picture Frames,” Workshops at Intermuseum Laboratory, Oberlin, OH, taught by Jonathan Thornton, Professor of Art Conservation, Buffalo State College, 1993
“The Conservation of Gilt Wood,” Lecture Portion – Furniture Conservation Training Program, Conservation Analytical Lab, Smithsonian Institute, 1991
“The Art of the Frame,” Conference, Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., 1990
Presentations, Grants, and Exhibitions:
2012 – “Period Frames: History, Materials & Conservation,” Warner Free Lecture Series, Harvard, MA
2011 – “Period Frames: History, Materials & Conservation,” Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH
2011 – “Period Frames: History, Materials & Conservation,” Springfield Museums , Springfield, MA
2010 – Curator for “Frames: Noteworthy Surroundings,” Gallery at Indian Hill, Indian Hill Music, Littleton, MA
2006 – “French-American Partnership Grant,” Sponsored by the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation (FAIC) and the Florence Gould Foundation – Hosted Marie Dubost of the Atelier de la Feuille d’Or in Paris for a workshop, “Repareur, the recutting of gesso”.
2002 – “Treatment of Gilded Surfaces,” New England Museum Association
1998 – “Conservation and Restoration of Gilded Surfaces,” Restoration & Renovation Boston, MA