Each year since 2002, the American Institute for Conservation has organized “Learning to Look” workshops in conjunction with the annual meeting of the College Art Association. The workshops, which are held offsite in a museum in the meeting’s host city, bring together art historians, curators, artists, and conservators for a focused study of the material properties of one group or type of objects in the physical presence of those objects. 2026 marks the sixth year that curators and conservators from the Art Institute of Chicago will lead workshops. There will be two workshops:
- In the Conservation Studio with the Dutch and Flemish 17th-Century Collection Catalogue, led by Jacquelyn N. Coutré , Eleanor Wood Prince Curator; Annie Correll, Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Curatorial Fellow; and Gerrit Albertson, Associate Paintings Conservator. Thursday February 19, 2026 from 12:30- 2:00pm.
- Claire Ziesler’s Forms From Fiber, led by Melinda Watt, Chair and Christa C. Mayer Thurman Curtor of Textiles; Isaac Facio, Associate Textiles Conservator; and Megan Creamer, Assistant Textiles conservator. Friday, February 20, 2026 from 12:30pm- 2:00pm
Registration for each workshop is limited to 12 people. One does not have to be registered for the CAA meeting to participate in a workshop.
To register, please contact Rebecca Rushfield at wittert@juno.com and specify in which workshop you wish to participate.