Art Meets Science at the Varley Art Gallery

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CCI Newsletter, No. 27, June 2001

Art Meets Science at the Varley Art Gallery

by Carol MacIvor, Senior Communications Advisor, Information Services and Marketing

Janice Passafiume (left) with Bill Peters and Sharon Gaum-Kuchar at the opening of the exhibition.

Janice Passafiume (left) with Bill Peters and Sharon Gaum-Kuchar at the opening of the exhibition.

A new and exciting exhibition was held at the Frederick Horsman Varley Art Gallery of Markham, Ontario, from January 31 to March 25, 2001. Art Meets Science: An Investigative Look at Conservation was put together by gallery director Sharon Gaum-Kuchar and conservator Janice Passafiume (of Jana Conservation). CCI Director General Bill Peters was on hand for the opening.

The exhibit highlighted the ways in which applied science is used in the conservation and preservation of heritage objects as well as contemporary ones. There were lectures, workshops, open house clinics, and even school tours for students ranging in age from 6 to 14. Visitors had the chance to see how the various analytical tools are actually applied by conservators to detect damage and carry out restoration work.

Conservators and conservation scientists from CCI, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, the City of Toronto Archives, and the University of Toronto Art Centre collaborated on the exhibition. CCI's Jean Tétreault, conservation scientist from the Preventive Conservation Services Division, was present for an information session on March 4.