Meet the Board:
Erica James
Erica is a paintings conservator in private practice in the greater Philadelphia area.
|
What words of advice do you have for current fellows?
I was always humbled by the access the conservation program gave me to the Winterthur collection. It felt like there was never enough time to walk through the rooms of the house and familiarize myself with all there was to see. The privilege was one I never forgot, and I always lamented I didn't take more time to do so. At that time, I remember reminding myself how many days I had before turning in my badge because that meant the end of my access. We were so busy (as busy as I had ever been academically), but, in truth, there is always enough time to look at surfaces of any kind. My advice would be to take the time to know and enjoy the collection while you have the opportunity. What do you like about being involved with the Society of Winterthur Fellows? I like feeling connected to Winterthur in a meaningful way. I appreciated my time there, left in 1999 to put what I learned into practice, and now have the opportunity to give back to an institution that was so formative to me as a conservator. It is gratifying knowing I can promote for others what means so much to me. I never imagined I would be connected with the museum in this way; it's a gift! What book do you consider to be essential reading? Any philosophy book on aesthetics. There is no reading that influenced how I view painting conservation better than my studies in philosophy. The subject matter made me a better conservator and a better person! |
Erica working on a modern painting for a client.
|
