Buffalo hosts preservation conference

Buffalo played host to the National Preservation Conference last week with events throughout the city, including tours of the Burchfield Penney Art Center and the Art Conservation Lab in Rockwell Hall.

Both were part of "Museums By Moonlight," an event that also included the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, and tours of the Richardson Olmsted Complex, which had been closed for 10 years before being opened up for this event.

Being involved with the preservation conference is one of the ways Buffalo State supports the community, said Patrick Ravines, director and associate professor in the art conservation program.

"It shows that Buffalo State is a part of the city," he said.

Visitors to the Art Conservation Lab were able to see what the lab does, from preserving old photographs and clothing to taking x-rays of old paintings to see hidden drawings and watermarks. While the lab isn't preserving buildings, it's preserving what goes in the buildings, Ravines said.

"We're working to preserve the interiors," he said. "Wall paintings, furniture, all those things can be part of it."

Students in the art conservation program were on hand to show visitors what they do, and answer any questions people had.

Art conservation major Terra Huber showed tour-goers the process behind preserving old documents and photographs. It was an attentive crowd, she said.

"The people I've spoken to are really excited to see what we do," she said.

Graham Patten, also an art conservation major, was surprised by the enthusiasm the conference participants had for preservation.

"It's pretty amazing," he said. "I didn't realize how much interest (in preservation) there was in general."

The number of people touring the art conservation lab exceeded initial estimates, Ravines said. They expected to see about 2 percent of conference participants.

"We've had 10 percent of the conference come by," he said.

Student participation in the event was key, said Judy Walsh, a professor in the paper conservation lab.

"It's great for us to have our students show their work," she said. "We're very proud."

The art conservation department will be holding an open house on Nov. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Another highlight of the conference was the premiere of Buffalo Unscripted, a documentary film showcasing the city and its inhabitants. The film features conversations with everyday Buffalonians and their thoughts on the city.

Buffalo Unscripted was shown last Friday evening, with an encore on Saturday. Both showings were at the Market Arcade Film and Arts Centre, in downtown Buffalo.

The theater was packed for the premiere, said freelance writer Nicole Schuman. The film was well received.

"People applauded at various parts of the film," she said. "People cheered."

Schuman said she thinks the video will have an effect on how people see the city, after they view it.

"I think people from out of town who watch this will have a newfound respect for our city," she said.

Overall, the conference seems to have left a positive view of the city with conference goers, Schuman said.

"I went to a Young Preservationist event the one night, with almost 200 young adults, almost none from Buffalo," she said. "They raved about the city and how great the people were and our fortune for such architectural gems. There was so much energy in that room that night, and it was all for our city."

Michael Canfield can be reached by email at canfield.record@live.com.