BALTIMORE, MD.- The Walters Art Museum is preparing a “behind-the-scenes” look at a conservation studio by cutting a 4’ by 5’ window to allow visitors to observe the techniques conservators use to examine and treat museum treasures. The public will also be able to interact with conservators with questions and conversation. The construction of this window will include a glass panel that will open and close with a gilded frame around the perimeter of the space. There will be a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the new view on Friday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m.

Located in the Centre Street building’s fourth floor lobby, the conservation viewing space will be staffed Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., with conservators caring for the collection and actively engaging visitors in issues related to conservation. At other times the window will be closed, but the public will be able to observe ongoing work taking place within the space.

Walters’ Director of Conservation and Technical Research Terry Drayman-Weisser states, “This program will allow the conservation division’s work to come out from behind closed doors and demonstrate to the public how conservators work to preserve art for future generations.”

“I am so pleased with Terry’s excellent leadership and dedication to the Walters’ conservation lab for more than three decades as she continues to bring new and innovative projects to the museum,” said Walters Director Gary Vikan.

This project has been made possible by the generosity of Eleanor McMillan, who began her career with an apprenticeship in the Walters lab and is conservator emeritus of the Smithsonian Conservation Analytical Laboratory. Additional support was provided by Walters’ Trustee Douglas W. Hamilton, Jr.