ATHENS, GA.- For the first time at the Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia, art will be conserved in the galleries, in full view of the public. Joan Mitchell’s “Close” has been a popular work in the museum’s collection since it was acquired in 1974, just one year after its creation. This large, abstract expressionist work of art has inspired viewers for decades with its expressive, painterly style and layered complementary colors.

Like all paintings, “Close” has aged with time, leading to some cracking in its darker areas. This type of cracking is known as “traction crackle,” which occurs when thickly applied oil paints dry on the canvas. According to art conservator Larry Shutts, traction crackle would usually be stable, but the primer underneath the dark areas on the painting has absorbed extra pigment, making these areas unstable and susceptible to further damage. In celebration of the artist’s 100th birthday, the Joan Mitchell Foundation provided the museum with generous funds to hire Shutts to stabilize these areas.

Typically, conservation treatments take place in labs, but in this case museum visitors will be able to watch Shutts as he works in a viewable, open-access conservation lab created in the museum’s temporary exhibition space. Shutts will be available to answer any questions and speak to visitors as he cleans and restores “Close.” Conserving the work in the gallery gives visitors a rare live demonstration of art conservation, making the practice accessible to a broader audience and bolstering the museum’s educational programming.

Kathryn Hill (the museum’s associate curator of modern and contemporary art), Tricia Miller (deputy director of collections and exhibitions and head registrar) and Callan Steinmann (head of education and curator of academic and public programs) worked together to create educational and hands-on aspects of the exhibition, allowing visitors to learn about what conservation is and some of the tools conservators use.

In-gallery conservation will take place from August 9 to November 2. Shutts will be present in the museum at specific dates and times (Tuesdays and Thursdays, August 12 – September 4, 11 a.m. – noon and 2 – 4 p.m.), but visitors may observe his progress and learn about conservation at any time during the museum’s regular hours. “Close” will return to the museum's permanent collection galleries once conservation is complete.