The art of conservation

Conservation work on George Washington Carver statue.

Conserve Art's Mike Donovan and university museums' Erin O'Malley work to apply a protective layer of wax to the sculpture that serves as the centerpiece of George Washington Carver Plaza. Photos by Christopher Gannon.

Closeup of Carver statue.

While a selection of works from university museums' Art on Campus collection are the focus of Iowa State's state fair exhibit, several more are getting some TLC in Ames. Representatives from Connecticut-based Conserve Art have visited campus over the summer months, tending to the regular maintenance and care of ISU's public art collection. This week, a bronze cast of Christian Petersen's George Washington Carver sculpture was among the items on the conservation to-do list. Other art works getting attention include the Jack Trice statue north of the football stadium and bas relief murals in the Food Sciences Building. The Fountain of the Four Seasons also will have conservation work done.