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For Immediate release: Contact: Robbin Zella 203.332.5052 Werth Family Foundation Funds Housatonic Museum of Art’s Conservation ProgramBridgeport, CT-- The Werth Family Foundation awarded the Housatonic Museum of Art $30,000.00 which will be used as matching funds for a grant to be submitted to the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Washington, DC. Last year the HMA was awarded $15,000.00 from the Werth Family Foundation and $15,000 from IMLS to conduct a comprehensive survey of the paintings, sculptures and works on paper. This year’s funding cycle will begin the work of implementing the recommendations made by each of these conservators to start the work of caring and protecting the collection for future generations. Fine art must be seen to be appreciated and the challenge for collecting institutions is to meet the charge of stewardship to assure that their valued collections are preserved for future generations. An additional amount of funding was raised through the museum’s Adopt-A-Painting program which has been championed by the Connecticut Post. The museum has worked to raise public awareness about the Adopt-A-Painting program for both the internal and external communities. We have raised public and private funds to make conservation and preservation an important message and component of our activities. Museum staff also considers conservation needs when they purchase or accept a donated work of art, and often the donor will include funds for conservation of the piece. By bringing conservation out from behind the scenes, we are able to educate students, staff and the community about the importance of maintaining the collection. Although severely deteriorated works receive treatment, the funding received from the Werth Family Foundation and IMLS allowed the museum director, Robbin Zella, to bring in conservation experts to assess the whole collection and develop an action plan with regard to the treatments necessary for the sculpture, painting and paper collections. This year, the museum will develop a disaster plan as well as develop a long-range conservation plan based upon the recommendations and information outlined in the conservation reports. With regard to plans to begin conserving works of art, these works will be receive treatment based on the condition reports prepared by the three conservators starting with those listed as top priority—needing immediate attention. The director’s intention is to keep conservation a top concern, to continue to preserve and present many wonderful works that we have not been able to share because of their fragile or poor condition. To learn more about the Adopt-A-Painting program view our website at www.Housatonicmuseum.org or call 203-332-5052 for a brochure. Anson C. Smith
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