Laura Pate - Lunch & Learn - Jan 7, 2025

Laura Pate, objects conservator and owner of Brown Mountain Art Restoration in Dallas was our guest presenter for the Jan. 7th program.
Laura offered us an intriguing and educational ‘behind the scenes’ look into the fascinating history, processes & materials of art conservation and restoration - an aspect of art collecting and museum practice not often glimpsed by the public!
ABOUT OUR PRESENTER
Laura Pate has 30 years of experience as a decorative arts conservator. For 24 of those years, she has owned and operated Brown Mountain Art Restoration, a company specializing in the conservation and restoration of ceramics and porcelains, paintings, gilded frames and objects as well as public art. She has been a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation since 2013 and has a Specialty Certificate in the Care of Decorative Objects from the International Preservation Studies Center.
In 2006 Laura participated in an Angel Project for the Museum of Biblical Art assisting in the treatment of several plaster sculptures on loan to the institution that were damaged in a fire that destroyed much of the museum. This, as well as the dramatic increase in extreme weather events, sparked an interest and involvement in disaster preparedness and emergency response that continues today. She is both a Texas Heritage Responder as well as a National Heritage Responder and serves on the board of the Texas Cultural Emergency Response Alliance.
Her client base includes museums, galleries, private collectors, antique dealers and many other cultural institutions.
ABOUT LUNCH & LEARN
Since 2014, Irving Arts Center’s informal art education program for adults has provided fun and informative enrichment opportunities as well as a lively discussion forum for exploring current exhibitions at IAC and other art-related topics. Lunch & Learn meets the first Tuesday of the month, October through May, at 12 noon. The program is free and open to the public.