FINE ART CONSERVATION

About Conservation

The goal of conservation is to prolong the life of an object. The best way to do this is to optimize its environment. HVAC and air filtering systems, sealed frames and display cases, and good quality contact materials for display and storage all play a role in achieving a stable environment.
Restorative treatments address the effects of damage by cleaning, stabilizing repairs, and cosmetic compensation for media loss. Sometimes damage is irreversible, other times it can be mitigated. Every object is different, and treatment is approached with this in mind. Some objects are too fragile to allow any treatment at all, some are sturdy enough to allow partial or complete cleaning, stabilization and restoration. Conservation scientists and practitioners continue to develop new methods, materials, and equipment to minimize stress on the object during restorative treatment.

About Rebecca

Rebecca Pavitt has maintained the private Fine Art Conservation practice in Vancouver, BC since 1988. Prior to this she attended the graduate art conservation program at Buffalo State College (1984-1987) with pre-program internships at the LA County Museum of Art and the Cooper-Hewitt Museum. Her graduate internship was at the BC Provincial Archives.
She continues her professional development through workshops, subscriptions to conservation literature, and private correspondence with colleagues.

Client List

Public Institutions and Galleries

Arts Umbrella, Vancouver
Barkerville Historic Town, B.C.
Belkin Art Gallery, UBC
B.C. Ferries
B.C. Hydro
Burnaby Art Gallery, B.C.
Canada Trust, Vancouver
Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver
Delta Museum and Archives
Emily Carr University Library
Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam, BC
Jewish Historical Society, Vancouver
Vancouver Holocaust Education Center
Kelowna Art Gallery, B.C.
Langley Centennial Museum, B.C.
North Vancouver Museum and Archives
Presentation House, North Vancouver
Revenue Canada
Shannon House, Vancouver
Shaughnessy Golf Club, Vancouver
Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives
University of Alberta, Special Collections

University of B.C., Special Collections

University of Northern B.C.
University of Victoria Archives
Vancouver Art Gallery
Vancouver Contemporary Art Gallery
Vancouver Maritime Museum
Vancouver Museum
Vancouver Yacht Club
West Vancouver Museum and Archives

Private Galleries

Art Emporium
Bau-Xi Gallery
Chali Rosso Gallery
Coastal People’s Gallery /
Diane Farris Gallery
Douglas Reynolds Gallery
Elliot Lewis Gallery
Equinox Gallery
Harrison Galleries
Heffel Gallery
Inuit Gallery
Marion Scott Gallery
Spirit Wrestler Gallery
The Cahen Archives
The Cahen Foundation