Thanks to supporters like you, the public and future generations have access to these remarkable works of art.
This year, more than $150,000 is needed for conservation, proper storage, and preservation of the art in the WAG-Qaumajuq collection.
Will you contribute to our year-end campaign, and help give the art some TLC? Gifts of all sizes make a meaningful difference.
Conservation and Restoration 101
We sat down with Head of Museum Services & Building Operations, Radovan Radulovic, to tell you more about this important work.
On average, our conservation team treats between 20 and 40 artworks each year. Some years focus on large, complex projects, while others involve a greater number of smaller or preventive treatments. In addition to active restoration, we also spend significant time monitoring and caring for the collection to prevent damage before it occurs.
Every artwork is unique, so the time required can vary greatly. A minor treatment — such as surface cleaning or re-framing — might take just a few hours, while complex restorations involving structural repairs, paint consolidation, or varnish removal can take several weeks or even months.
Most artworks do not need frequent restoration; ideally, preventive care and stable environmental conditions mean that major treatments are needed only once in many decades.
When performed by trained conservators following professional ethical standards, restoration generally enhances both the aesthetic and cultural value of an artwork. The goal is never to make a work look “new,” but to stabilize it and bring it closer to the artist’s original intent. In this sense, conservation helps preserve the integrity and long-term value of each piece.
Your support truly makes a difference. Every successful conservation project depends on people who care about preserving our shared cultural heritage. Thanks to you, future generations will continue to experience these remarkable works of art as their creators intended. We’re deeply grateful for your trust and ongoing encouragement.
Reviving a 19th-Century Painting
This past summer, Canadian Voyageurs by Frances Anne Hopkins needed some TLC. Restoring a painting from the 1890s is no simple task, but with the expertise of WAG-Qaumajuq Conservator Vitaliy Yatsevych and intern Kaeli Wood, the work was brought back to life. This is just one example of the vital care that maintains the WAG-Qaumajuq permanent collection so it’s here for everyone in the community.
Sponsor an Artwork
Contact
For questions about how to donate, please email gifts@wag.ca or call Ella Ejiogu at 204.789.1345.
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