Hello and welcome to this site! My name is Lauren Fair, and I am Head of Objects Conservation at Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library. I also serve as Affiliated Assistant Faculty for the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC). These two organizations are committed to advancing the arts, preserving world cultural heritage, and sharing that knowledge through teaching and public engagement. I feel lucky to be a part of them. If you do not know much about art conservation and would like to, click on the link above or here to know more.

I first found out about conservation on a semester abroad in Spain. From then on, I knew it was the path for me. After getting my B.A. in Art History from the University of Delaware, I went on to pursue a Master of Science in art conservation, which I received from WUDPAC in 2010. My previous work experiences include the treatment of gilt frames and furniture for the United States Capitol and White House, Philadelphia outdoor public sculpture, and yearlong internships at Winterthur Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Since joining the Winterthur staff in 2012, I am now responsible for the care and maintenance of collection objects, garden sculpture, historic building elements, and our museum’s two historical automobiles (both 1927 Rolls-Royces). I also help oversee x-radiography imaging for the museum and documentation for the conservation department. As affiliated faculty for WUDPAC, I supervise second- and third-year objects majors and teach the first-year Inorganic Block, which covers the conservation of glass, ceramics, stone, and metals.

In addition to my work at Winterthur and UD, I also serve as Coordinator for the ICOM-CC Glass and Ceramics Working Group, a post which affords me the opportunity to connect internationally with colleagues in ceramics and glass conservation. My research interests have included 18th-19th-century Staffordshire enamel technology, stain reduction techniques for the conservation treatment of ceramics, and ‘ajami decoration of Damascene interiors. Most recently, I have been developing sustainable maintenance practices for Winterthur's garden object collection, and investigating and evaluating the treatment of silver and copper alloys to establish ideal coating systems, strategies, and preventive conservation methods. 
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