“As heritage specialists, we are dedicated to preserving
objects of artistic, historic, or personal significance.”
What is art conservation?
The term “conservation” is used to broadly describe all measures and actions taken to safeguard and ensure accessibility to works of art and cultural heritage objects for present and future generations.
Conservation includes three primary categories of intervention, preventive conservation, remedial conservation, and restoration, depending on the actions taken.
Preventive conservation are indirect actions aimed at avoiding and minimizing future deterioration or loss. The object itself is not altered, but rather its surrounding environment. Measures such as: framing, storage, handling, packing and transportation procedures, environmental management (light, humidity, pollution and pest control), and emergency planning are common actions to safeguard objects.
Remedial conservation are direct actions applied to an object to stop damaging processes. These actions will sometimes modify the appearance of the object. Measures such as: the removal of acidic backings, consolidation of flaking media, cleaning of surface dirt, washing and de-acidification of paper, removal of tapes and adhesives, dehydration of wet archaeological materials, and cleaning outdoor sculptures to remove plant growth are all common treatments.
Restoration are actions that alter the aesthetic qualities of an object or seek to bring an object closer to its assumed original state (artist intent). These actions are only carried out when the item has lost part of its significance or function through past alteration or deterioration. Measures such as: stain reduction, the addition of non-original material to compensate for loss or damage, retouching a painting, reassembling a broken sculpture, and chemical or light bleaching of paper are all common treatments.
Conservation is a complex process and demands the collaboration of relevant qualified professionals. Conservators, also known as Restorers depending on country of origin, are highly trained practitioners who possess exceptional artistic dexterity and have obtained advanced training in material sciences.
At GBAC, our conservators have the training and knowledge required to skillfully assess and treat objects in need of conservation intervention. All treatment strategies employed are in accordance with modern conservation practices, minimally invasive, and fully reversible.
Paintings
Our conservators restore all types of paintings including oil, acrylic and watercolour. We accept paintings on any surface whether it is canvas, paper, wood panel, ivory, metal or glass. Common repairs include:
- Cleaning & re-varnishing
- Repairing holes, tears or punctures
- Consolidation of flaking, cupping & lifting paint media
- Re-touching areas of paint loss
- Stabilizing wood panels & canvas stretchers
- Lining of canvas supports
- Flattening of dents
- Re-stretching of warping & sagging canvas
- Conservation framing & installation services
Murals & Architectural Arts
Georgian Bay Art Conservation restores all types of murals including fresco, secco, oil, acrylic, or mosaic tile on any surface. The murals can be located on the ceiling of buildings several stories high, indoors or out. In addition, we preserve architectural elements such as plaster or wood moldings, gilded surfaces, and leaded glass windows. Common repairs include:
- Surface cleaning and tarnish removal
- Consolidation of flaking and lifting paint
- Replacing areas of missing drywall, plaster, paint, glass or gilding
- Joining and filling of fractures, fishers and cracks
- Re‐grouting of tiles
- Stabilizing the mural from pollutants, UV and salt damage
- Removal of graffiti and damage caused by vandalism
- Mold remediation
- Production of 3‐D CNC reproductions for architectural elements
- If necessary, removal of murals from the wall (Strappo), and transferring them to a new location or preparing them for longterm archival storage.
Fine Art on Paper
Our conservators restore fine art on paper in any media including prints (etchings, engravings, screen‐prints and lithographs), drawings (ink, pastel, charcoal, graphite), and watercolour paintings. Common repairs include:
- Surface cleaning
- Removal of backings, mats, tape and labels
- Mold remediation
- Washing and de-acidifying
- Lightening of primary support
- Reduction of foxing and water staining
- Mending of tears and infilling of losses
- Consolidation of flaking media
- Humidifying and flattening
- Lining
- Colour re-touching
- Hinging and mounting
- Archival storage and display
Archival Materials
Georgian Bay Art Conservation restores a variety of archival materials including antique books, maps and architectural drawings, historic documents (letters, marriage/birth certificates), vellum and parchment items (land deeds, indentures or illuminated manuscript pages), ephemera (posters, broadsides, post cards, tickets), photographs and family heirlooms. Common repairs include:
- Surface cleaning
- Removal of backings, mats, tape and labels
- Mold remediation
- Washing and de-acidifying
- Lightening of primary support
- Reduction of foxing and water staining
- Mending of tears and infilling of losses
- Consolidation of flaking media
- Humidifying and flattening
- Lining
- Colour re-touching
- Hinging and mounting
- Archival storage and display
Photographic Media
Our conservators restore all types of original photographic media including historic process on paper, fabric, plastic, glass and metal substrates. We provide treatment for daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and tintypes, glass plate negatives, crayon portraits and a variety of other photographic processes ranging from salted paper prints to contemporary black and white and chromogenic photographs. Common repairs include:
- Case repair (daguerreotypes, ambrotypes)
- Surface cleaning
- Removal of backings, mats, tape and labels
- Stain reduction
- Lightening of primary support
- Mending of cracks, splits and tears
- Consolidation of lifting or flaking media
- Humidifying and flattening (e.g. rolled panoramas)
- Re-touch of media loss
- Hinging and mounting
- Archival storage and display
Digital Restoration & Reproduction
Georgian Bay Art Conservation offers digital restoration and reproduction services for photographs, family heirlooms and historic documents. In addition, we have the capability to manufacture CNC reproductions of 3-D objects for long-term public display, or for missing/damaged architectural elements such as plaster or wood moldings, historic frames or decorative details. Common projects include:
- Digital restoration of faded, torn or creased photographs
- Printing reproductions for multiple family members
- Digital retrieval of lost or severely faded textual information
- Printing reproductions for long-term public display
- CNC reproduction of 3-D objects and architectural elements
Textiles
Our conservators restore a variety of textile objects including needlepoint and embroidery, tapestries, rugs, flags, linen books, period clothing and mixed media objects. Common repairs include:
- Cleaning and stain removal
- Removal of backings, mats, tape and adhesives
- Mold remediation
- Mending of tears
- Lost compensation
- Reduction of folds and creases
- Pressing and flattening
- Lining
- Hinging and mounting
- Archival storage and display
Sculpture & Painted Objects
Georgian Bay Art Conservation restores indoor or outdoor sculptures and religious icons. These objects can be large scale or small and include painted, gilded or natural plaster, stone, marble, wood or metal. Common repairs include:
- Surface cleaning
- Removal of mold and other organic material
- Consolidation of flaking and lifting paint
- Joining and filling of fractures, fishers and cracks
- Re-sculpting or carving of missing areas
- Stabilizing the sculpture from pollutants, UV and salt damage
- Removal of graffiti and damage caused by vandalism
- Reinforcing the internal structure or armature
- Creating new supports for display or storage (stand or plinth)
Frame Restoration
Georgian Bay Art Conservation restores all types of frames including plaster, wood and gilded surfaces. Common repairs include:
- Surface cleaning
- Removal of over-paint and tarnish
- Structural reinforcement
- Removal and transfer of historic labels to a new frame
- CNC reproduction of historic moldings
- Carving or casting of missing decorative elements
- Surface toning to match original patina
- Replacement of non-archival material or hardware
- Mounting and installation of artwork
