Blog

Category: Preservation News

Out of Office: Oklahoma and Kansas

This past August, I had the great honor of joining the “Totem as Monument & Archive” workshop and lecture series organized by artist/conservator Erin Turner. This site-specific series was created with the intention to activate the Ed Galloway Totem Pole Park near Claremore, Oklahoma, and examine the art environment through a critical lens addressing issues of Native representation and cultural appropriation.

Continue Reading
IMG 8985

Daniel Paul on the Historic Preservation of Art Environments

Architectural Historian Daniel Paul has more than 25 years of experience in the historic preservation field and has successfully listed local, state, and federal landmark applications that include the Capitol Records building in Hollywood, Tressa "Grandma" Prisbrey’s Bottle Village, and early U.S. Border Inspection Stations in Vermont. During his time with Bottle Village, Paul worked with SPACES Archives founder Seymour Rosen (pictured in the background of the above photo). He recently spoke with SPACES about his experiences in the field of art environments and where he sees this work headed.  

Continue Reading
Screen Shot 2023 07 05 at 10.07.01 AM

Stacey Holder: Garden Guide to Preservation Manager

An important part of the mission of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is to preserve the work of Isaiah Zagar. Exposure to weather elements and 165,000 visitors a year leaves the site vulnerable to damage, and that’s where PMG’s Preservation Team comes in. Their Preservation Team is lead by Preservation & Facilities Manager Stacey Holder, who took time to share about her role and experience working with the mosaics by Isaiah Zager in the Magic Garden and around Philadelphia.  

Continue Reading
IMG 3491

The Preservation of Prophet Isaiah Robertson's Second Coming House Part II

A big thank you to Ally Spongr of the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area for speaking with SPACES about their stewardship plans for Prophet Isaiah’s Second Coming House, a current preservation project of the Kohler Foundation. This week, we present Part II of our focus on the future of the Second Coming House by getting a behind-the-scenes look on the ongoing conservation work of the Prophet’s artwork by the Pennsylvania-based firm B.R. Howard. (To catch up on Part I, click here.) 

Continue Reading
DJI 0311

Final Effort to Save The Last Resort

After years of uncertainty regarding the future of David Lee Hoffman’s The Last Resort in Lagunitas, California, it appears that a recent court decision will result in the site being razed. 

Continue Reading
Looking sw above TitanicII.jpg

Mullinville's M.T. Liggett Visitors Center Nears Opening

Myron Thomas (M.T.) Liggett (1930–2017) was well known for creating metal totems and whirligigs and has been called a folk artist, provocateur, activist, a “poker”, and more. With the upcoming opening of a new visitors center in his name, his expressive artworks–and the sometimes heated conversations they inspired–will continue on.M.T. Ligget in his workshop. Photo: Arden Bradshaw

Continue Reading
Copy of IMG 4290

Getting on the Map: Completing a National Register of Historic Places Nomination

7 Steps Toward Completing a Successful National Register of Historic Places NominationEmma Mooney is an art and architectural historian currently pursuing a Master of Preservation Studies degree at Tulane University. She first realized her interest in the built environment during an internship with the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in 2014 and since then has researched art environments such as Joe Minter’s African Village in America and Clementine Hunter’s African House Murals. Before becoming involved in historic preservation, she worked in museum collections management, most recently at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and the American Folk Art Museum. 
The Mary Nohl Art Environment is on the National Register of Historic Places. See the full nomination through the NRHP.

Continue Reading
Copy of 3. Return from the Hunt bas relief

A Look Inside the Towers: Conservation in Watts with LACMA

Built from 1921 to 1954 by Italian immigrant Sabato (Simon) Rodia, the Watts Towers are made of concrete, bottles, cups, glass, tile, shells, and steel. After nearly 100 years, the art environment has experienced numerous rounds of conservation – the most recent and ambitious by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) with the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs. This project is a crucial effort to manage day-to-day maintenance and develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term preservation of the Towers. We're excited to share some insights from Lily Doan, Associate Conservator at LACMA about the ongoing project! 

Continue Reading
CA 750 Rodia 255

Update from the Field: M.T. Liggett

International Artifacts continues to conserve M.T. Liggett’s totems, despite the 100+ degree heat. While Beth Wiza, Preservation Coordinator at Kohler Foundation, was on site, the team installed four conserved pieces, including the snowman-like piece (untitled, November 14, 1994) in the photographs. Conservation on the pieces includes paint restoration, stabilization, re-attachment of damaged parts through welding, treatment to protect the art from the elements, and more. 

Continue Reading
square snowman

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Celebrates 1 Year!

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park Celebrates 1 Year!

Continue Reading