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ViGiLO - Din l-Art Ħelwa
ISSUE 54 • NOVEMBER 2020
People Amy Sciberras In 2012 I was appointed by Din l-Art Ħelwa as resident conservator at Our Lady of Victory church in Valletta. This was the beginning of a wonderful journey within Din l-Art Ħelwa. Since then I have worked closely with many of its members, especially with former executive president Simone Mizzi. As resident conservator and project manager of the church until 2014, I was involved in the coordination of the initial phase of the conservation project, in the artistic conservation of the contents of the church, and in managing the relationship
with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. This included reporting and advising on issues related to conservation and preventive conservation, as well as carrying out conservation-restoration treatments on wall paintings, canvas paintings, panel paintings and polychrome sculpture. I also supervised conservation works being carried out by other conservators, including students being trained in the sector, allocating the necessary training programmes and monitoring their progress, as well as helping at fundraising events, lectures and concerts. Since then I have been consulting on conservation issues regarding the general care of the collections housed at the church and I was entrusted to conserve and restore its prestigious paintings, including works by Antoine de Favray (1706-98), Antonio Falzon (1805-65) and others. My goal is to continue conserving the many treasures which Din l-Art Ħelwa safeguards. Through Din l-Art Ħelwa I will also continue striving to raise public awareness, especially among youths, emphasizing the importance of preserving our national patrimony to future generations. As a member of the Youth Committee of Din l-Art Helwa, together with fellow conservators, I had organised a conservation and restoration workshop held at Our Lady of Victory church in November 2013, held with the support of the Ministry of Education. The outcome of this workshop was very positive attracting over 600 visitors and many new members. Din l-Art Ħelwa is by far one of my most treasured experiences since I embarked in the field of conservation and restoration back in 2005. My role at Din l-Art Ħelwa gave me the opportunity to widen my experience in this sector and to work alongside some of the most dedicated and professional individuals relentlessly conserving our artistic and natural heritage, as well as to work on some of the most important national treasures safeguarded by this NGO and, most important of all, to serve and give back something to the community. Being part of this professional and noble organization is truly close to my heart. Amy Sciberras is a warranted, professional, freelance conservator-restorer with a special interest in artistic and natural heritage
