The Chemistry of Art Conservation

Abbott Nixon from West Lake Conservators will talk about the chemistry behind art conservation.

Bio: Abbott Nixon received her B.A. in Arts Administration from SUNY Fredonia where she studied ephemeral performance art. She received her master’s degree from the University at Buffalo in 2017.  Her Master’s thesis took a critical look at material degradation and allowing arts works to “die”.  After interning at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Shelburne Museum she moved onto West Lake Conservators in New York where she spent nine years earning her way from a pre-program intern to Director of Operations. This experience has led her to give back to the arts community by becoming an adjunct professor teaching preventative conservation. In 2020 Abbott became a Professional Associate of the AIC.  She is recently the founder of the Abbatte Nixon Preservation Center, a not for profit focused on educating conservators with up to date techniques.  Corvus Art Conservation is her private conservation studio operated out of Rochester and Buffalo New York.  She specializes in oil on canvas, oil on board, acrylic on canvas, painted objects, frame re-gilding, collections management, storage and education.