Owner Susan Jackson is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. She learned the craft of gilding from highly respected old master gilders in Boston, Connecticut and New York. After choosing to focus on the conservation of gilded objects, she has continued to hone her skills through courses and seminars such as:
“The Art of the Frame”, Conference, Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C., 1990
“The Conservation of Gilt Wood”, Lecture Portion - Furniture Conservation Training Program, Conservation Analytical Lab, Smithsonian Institute, 1991
“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
“Painted Wood”, American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Symposium, Williamsburg, VA, 1994
“Gilding on Metal”, American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Symposium, St. Paul, MN, 1995
“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
“History, Technology and Conservation of Painted Finishes”, Conservation Analytical Lab, Smithsonian, Suitland, MD, 1998
“Gilding, Approaches to Treatment”, English Heritage & UK Institute for Conservation Conference, London, UK, 2000
“Cleaning Workshop”, Worcester Art Museum, Fuller Conservation Lab, taught by Richard Wolbers, Professor of Art Conservation, University of Delaware, 2001
“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
“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
“Classicism to Expressionism a Synthetic Approach to the Frame”, NYU Frame Conference, NYC, 2004
“Gesso Recutting Workshop” at Harvard Art with Marie Dubost, AIC French American Partnership Grant, 2006
“The Transforming Power of the Frame: Makers, Marriages & Materials - Exploring American Frames and Frames in America”, Initiatives in Art & Culture Conference, NYC, 2008
“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
“Conservator's Roundtable: Asian Lacquer”, Preservation Society of Newport County, October 2011
“Conserving Context”, Gilding & Decorative Surfaces Group, Institute of Conservation, ICON Conference, London, March 2013
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 |