New endowments for conservation

The Carlos Museum’s renowned teaching program in art conservation and the Parsons Conservation Laboratory received three major gifts in 2020-21 that will create endowments to ensure the conservation of the museum's collections and provide educational opportunities for Emory students.

When Sandra Still first visited the museum's conservation lab in 2011, she did not know that the experience would forever change her relationship with the Carlos Museum. During that first visit, Still witnessed the conservation of the museum's Old Kingdom mummy. From that indelible moment, she developed a deep appreciation for the conservation program, which has led to her legacy of substantial support. Following in the footsteps of several other friends of the conservation program, Still established the Alfred Still Conservation Fund in honor of her grandfather, who taught her the value of philanthropy. The Fund provides flexible funding for the museum's conservation program and ensures that resources are available for student interns to have meaningful experiences.

An anonymous local donor

created an immediate use fund

that supports the purchase of conservation supplies such as those needed for emergency preparedness, micro-climates, pest control, and storage materials. The donor also committed to a generous bequest to fund a new endowment for the conservation program. Dr. Monique Seefried has contributed to the growth and success of the Carlos Museum for decades , as curator, Board member, donor, and valued friend. When considering a legacy gift, Monique was inspired to establish an endowment for conservation after hearing about a student research project supervised by Chief Conservator Renee Stein that recovered perfume residue from an ancient Near Eastern vessel. Her gift also honors the two conservators in her family. The Seefried Endowment for Conservation will provide critical resources for the museum’s mission— to preserve and interpret art and artifacts in order to enrich the community and promote interdisciplinary teaching and research at Emory. Z

top: Chief Conservator Renée Stein and Assistant Conservator Brittany Dolph Dinneen working in the Parsons Conservation Laboratory. above left: Assistant Conservator Brittany Dolph Dinneen gently cleans and examines a mask from our African Collection. above right: Dr. Monique Seefried