Treatment Strategies for Painted Outdoor Sculpture Workshop

The 2026 edition of our workshop on the conservation of painted outdoor sculpture is presented in partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne, Australia.

This five-day, in-person program is designed to equip conservators with both theoretical knowledge and practical tools to develop effective treatment strategies for painted outdoor sculpture. Participants will work with real-world case studies from NGV’s sculpture garden and Melbourne’s public artworks.

Painted outdoor sculptures present unique conservation challenges due to their scale, diverse substrates and paint systems, exposure to environmental conditions, and the cultural and aesthetic values they carry. Conserving these works requires collaboration with stakeholders and professionals with skills complementary to those of conservators. This workshop will help participants build the skills and strategies needed to meet these challenges.

The curriculum is developed with the combined expertise of the Conservation Institute, NGV, outdoor sculpture conservators, and paint industry professionals. It will be delivered through lectures, site visits, practical exercises, and group activities. The NGV’s sculpture garden and Melbourne’s public sculpture will provide case studies for discussion about condition, treatment options and maintenance.

Hands-on exercises performed on mockups will allow participants to experiment with localized treatment techniques that extend the time between full repainting.

During the workshop, participants will be introduced to:

• Understanding coating failures
• Decision-making and planning strategies for treatment
• Logistics for complex projects
• Safety and sustainability practices
• Regional and international standards
• Selecting paint systems for different substrates and environments
• Evaluating paint application methods
• Techniques for local retouching and graffiti removal
• Working with paint manufacturers, applicators, and artists' estates
• Maintenance planning
• Advocacy and stakeholder engagement

The workshop will be held in-person over five days in Melbourne, Australia. Teaching materials will be available through an online learning platform before and after the workshop.

• Abigail Mack, Sculpture Conservator and Principal, Mack Art Conservation, Red Hook, New York
• Rosa Lowinger, Principal Conservator, RLA Conservation, Miami and Los Angeles
• Anne Cummins, President, Sydney Artefacts Conservation, Sydney
• Alan Feder, Architectural, Commercial and Heritage Painting Inspector,
• Caroline Kyi, Assistant Lecturer, Cultural Materials Conservation, University of Melbourne
• Stavroula Golfomitsou, Head of Collections, Getty Conservation Institute
• Ellen Moody, Project Specialist, Getty Conservation Institute

Ellen Moody, Project Specialist, Getty Conservation Institute

MaryJo Lelyveld, Conservation Manager, National Gallery of Victoria

Space for this workshop is limited to twenty-four conservators specialized in modern and contemporary art. Priority will be given to applicants currently working with outdoor painted sculpture. Candidates will ideally have at least three to five years of experience with these materials and will be in a position to share the knowledge and skills gained during the course with the conservation community.

The workshop language is English.

The workshop fee is USD $800 (eight hundred US dollars). The fee includes tuition, workshop materials, daily morning and afternoon tea/coffee breaks, daily lunches, an opening reception, and a group dinner.

Participants are responsible for round-trip transportation costs to Melbourne, lodging, any applicable visa fees, and all other travel and incidental expenses.

Applicants are encouraged to seek funding from their employer or other institutions. Limited financial assistance may be available for those in need.

Complete the online application form. The application must be completed in one session.

Once your application has been completed, you will receive a confirmation within one week. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact gcisculpt@getty.edu.

December 16, 2025: Deadline for submission of application and CV.

Mid-January 2026: By this date, applicants will receive an email notifying them if they have been selected to participate in the workshop and, if applicable, receive financial assistance. Up to ten additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

February 28, 2026: Deadline for participants to submit payment of the workshop tuition fee

Applicants who do not submit payment by the deadline will have their registration canceled. Available spaces will then be offered to those on the waiting list.

For further information or questions, please contact gcisculpt@getty.edu.