The conservation of sculptures that have been weathering outdoors for 30 years required expertise and precision. Following careful inspection of each sculpture, detailed recommendations were made for bringing these significant works to their original grandeur. In all, it was determined that 11 sculptures would be conserved; six pieces would be transported to McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory in Oberlin, Ohio and five would remain on site where the renewal work took place.
Conservation
The conservation of sculptures that have been weathering outdoors for 30 years required expertise and precision. Following careful inspection of each sculpture, detailed recommendations were made for bringing these significant works to their original grandeur. In all, it was determined that 11 sculptures would be conserved; six pieces would be transported to McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory in Oberlin, Ohio and five would remain on site where the renewal work took place.
These sculptures were transported to McKay Lodge:
Cloudt, by Ron Bennet
Cloudt treatment begins
Cloudt at McKay Lodge
Cloudt complete
Large Escargot complete
Manly in transport
Identifying paint history for Manly
Manly returns
Manly complete
Mobius Trip X complete
Rings Series #5 being lifted for transport to McKay Lodge
Rings Series #5Â on its side at McKay Lodge
Rings Series #5 complete
Totem:Lamina:Limbus complete
These sculptures remained on site for conservation:
Hence, by Clement Meadmore
Conservator: Teresa Duff of Lineage Historic Preservation Services
Moving Hence
Teresa Duff conserves Hence on site
Hence complete
Large Snail being lifted
Large Snail restored by Marcin Pikus of McKay Lodge
Large Snail complete
North Light, by David von Schlegell
Conservator: Teresa Duff of Lineage Historic Preservation Services
North Light move
North Light installation
North Light tenting for conservation
North Light tenting for conservation
North Light complete
Monumental Holistic Image IV, by Betty Gold
Conservator: Teresa Duff of Lineage Historic Preservation Services
Monumental Holistic Image IV tenting
Monumental Holistic Image IV complete
Stretch complete
Sculptures not needing conservation at this time:
Tower Iron, Sculpture No. 5 original location
Tower Iron, Sculpture No. 5 move
Tower Iron, Sculpture No. 5 move
Tower Iron, Sculpture No. 5 at the Sculpture Garden
Coronet: Homage to David Smith at the Sculpture Garden
Sculpture Garden conservation in the news
The process of on-site conservation, along with the design and construction of the Sculpture Garden captured the curiosity of passersby and some media attention.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Monumental sculptures get new/old colors during Hartwood Acres restoration
Shady Avenue – The crown jewel of the Allegheny County Park system, Hartwood Acres is using dramatic sculptures to breathe new life into the former country estate, creating a cultural destination ideal for a brisk walk in the park.