ABOUT TCW

The Textile Conservation Workshop (TCW) is a not-for-profit laboratory founded in 1978 to act as a conservation resource for museums, historic agencies and private individuals.

Textiles of historic importance and artistic value are treated by professional conservators, serving the needs of cultural institutions throughout the United States. As an educational institution, the Workshop offers internships that provide novice as well as post-graduate training in the field of textile conservation. TCW has an active outreach education and survey program for small museums and historical societies.

Today, we are one of a group of 14 regional centers in the US, of which only 11 conduct individual artifact treatment. We specialize in just one artifact type - textiles. Our 6 graduate-trained staff members function in a team-oriented working environment. Confirmation of our training ability is exemplified by the TCW trained practitioners who have taken positions in museum labs and regional centers, as well as throughout the country in private practice, servicing collections in historical agencies and museum collections. The TCW applies the science of conservation and fine craftsmanship to the care and restoration of every type of textile.

Textile treatments benefit from TCW's inventory of high quality conservation grade materials.

Textiles treated represent a diversity of cultures, regions and historical time periods.

FACILITY PHOTOS

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STAFF QUALIFICATIONS

Patsy Orlofsky, Executive Director
Ms. Orlofsky is the founder and director of the Textile Conservation Workshop. A scholar and lecturer on the history and care of Judaic objects, American textiles and modern and contemporary art textiles; she is also the author of Quilts in America, published in 1974, 1992. She is a Professional Member and Fellow of the American Institute for Conservation and FAIC Samuel H. Kress Conservation Publications Fellowship Coordinator.

Karen Clark, Conservator Emeritus
Ms. Clark, a graduate of the Cooperstown Graduate program in textile conservation with further study at the Winterthur Museum and at the National Gallery of Art, has been a conservator at the TCW since its inception. She has overseen the teaching of the many interns who have come through the TCW for the past 40 years. She is a Fellow of the A.I.C.

Mary Kaldany, Senior Conservator
Ms. Kaldany is a graduate of the Art Conservation Department, State University of N.Y.-Buffalo where she earned an M.A. and Certificate of Advanced Study in Art Conservation. She specializes in the treatment of painted textiles and in the use of adhesives. She is a Professional Member and Fellow of the A.I.C.

Rebecca Johnson-Dibb, Conservator
Ms. Johnson-Dibb holds an M.S. in Historic Textiles and Conservation from the University of Rhode Island. A practitioner in the field for 30 years, she is the author of papers on the effects of contact cleaning on historic textiles, and the identification of dyes on textile artifacts. Special interests include conservation of tapestries, Navajo blankets, Central Asian needlework and upholstery. She is a Professional Member of the A.I.C.

Alexandra Blach, Associate Conservator
Ms. Blach holds an M.A. in Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice at the Fashion Institute of Technology. The subject of her thesis is the use of conservation adhesives in the treatment of a pair of 1860s silk boots. Previously, Ms. Blach has worked for costume shops sewing costumes for theatre productions. Her interests include historic costume and quilts.

Meredith Wilcox-Levine, Conservator
Ms. Wilcox-Levine holds an M.S. in Historic Costume and Textile Conservation from the University of Rhode Island. A member of the Costume Society of America, she specializes in costume conservation and has presented papers on the conservation of baseball jerseys and a 19th century military hat. As field service director, she lectures on general conservation practices and associated topics. Interests include historic and theatrical costume, exhibition mount-making and sports memorabilia. She is a Professional Member of the A.I.C.

Peter Krajnak, Administrative Assistant

Katherine E. Barker, Conservator
Ms. Barker holds an B.A. in Chemistry from Miami University of Ohio and studied art history at Indiana University. She is the author of a paper on the effects of iron gall on textiles, and has lectured on conservation practices across the region. Her interests include samplers, quilts, christening dresses and religious textiles.

Internships

In response to the need for practical in-service training in the textile conservation field, the TCW has created entry-level, intermediate and advanced training opportunities. The entry level program is a six month volunteer apprenticeship position. The intermediate training level is our in-house Master Apprenticeship. This is usually awarded to a candidate who has a masters degree in a related field such as anthropology, archaeology, art history, history, studio art, textile science, or polymer chemistry and is also pursuing equivalency training in conservation. The advanced internship candidate is matriculating in a recognized graduate program in conservation. In every case, ease and familiarity with needle and thread is a prerequisite. Interested applicants can email a resume to the TCW.

SELECTED INSTITUTIONAL CLIENTS

Alice T. Miner
Colonial Collection
S.U.N.Y. Albany, NY

Art Institute
of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Asia Society
New York, NY

Bard Graduate Center
New York NY

Barnum Museum
Bridgeport, CT

Christie’s Inc.
New York, NY

Confederate
Relic Room
Columbia, SC

Connecticut
Historical Society
Hartford, CT

Ellis Island
Immigration Museum
New York, NY

Herbert F. Johnson
Museum
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Jeff Bridgeman
Antiques
Historic York Country, PA

Jewish Museum
New York, NY

Kykuit House
Rockefeller Estate
Pocantico Hills, NY

Long Island Museum
Stony Brook, NY

Lyndhurst National
Trust
Tarrytown, NY

Museum of
the City of New York
New York, NY

New Canaan
Historical Society
New Canaan, CT

New-York Historical
Society
New York, NY

New York Public Library
New York, NY

New York Yankees
New York, NY

Newark Museum
Newark, NJ