The Science of Modern and Contemporary Public Art Preservation: A Walking Tour
Feb
27
2026
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Meaghan Perry -
Kayla Gertner
Feb
27
2026
-
Meaghan Perry
-
Kayla Gertner
Description
Delve into the science behind art conservation, and come learn how UT’s public art collection addresses a wide range of challenges – from summer storms and unexpected winter freezes to nesting birds and spilt coffee. Explore the intricate process of maintaining iconic modern and contemporary art from Landmarks’ collection, including works on long-term loan from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tour participants will learn about:
- the delicate balance between preservation, conservation and restoration
- the scientific techniques used to analyze, assess and treat artworks
- the challenges and rewards of preserving modern and contemporary art
Experts Meaghan Perry and Kayla Gertner will share insights into the history and conservation of these art works, many of them inspired by science, technology and the natural world. Come learn how Landmarks’ projects are realized on campus, from conception to installation, and all about the Landmarks Preservation Guild on a tour showcasing outstanding art inspired by mathematics and the natural world.
About the Speakers
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Meaghan Perry
Founder and Owner
Momentum Art Conservation
Meaghan Perry is the owner and principal conservator of Momentum Art Conservation in Austin, Texas. She holds a B.A. in studio art from The University of Texas and an M.A., ...
Meaghan Perry is the owner and principal conservator of Momentum Art Conservation in Austin, Texas. She holds a B.A. in studio art from The University of Texas and an M.A., C.A.S. from the State University of New York College at Buffalo, where she completed a year of advanced study at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, focusing on the conservation of video, audio and performance-based artworks. Meaghan was previously the assistant objects conservator at The Menil Collection, where she worked extensively with the Menil and Whitney Museum of American Art’s Artists Documentation Program. She has contributed to projects at leading institutions, including SFMOMA, the Brooklyn Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Archaeological Institute at Stobi, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Kimbell Museum and the Harry Ransom Center. Meaghan has served on the American Institute for Conservation’s Education and Training Committee and the Electronic Media Group Publication Committee as co-editor of the Electronic Media Group Review. Presently, she is a member of the Texas Collections Emergency Resource Alliance (TX-CERA) and acts as the consulting objects and variable media conservator for the many special collections at The University of Texas at Austin.
Speaker Engagement
- The Science of Modern and Contemporary Public Art Preservation: A Walking Tour at Texas Science Festival, Feb. 28, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
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Kayla Gertner
Interim Collections Manager
UT Landmarks
Kayla Gertner is the Interim Collections Manager at Landmarks, the public art program of UT Austin. Kayla manages the care and conservation of the collection and oversees Landmarks’ Preservation Guild. ...
Kayla Gertner is the Interim Collections Manager at Landmarks, the public art program of UT Austin. Kayla manages the care and conservation of the collection and oversees Landmarks’ Preservation Guild. She holds a B.A. in art history from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently preparing for an advanced degree in art conservation.
Location
Monochrome for Austin
Northwest corner of 24th Street and Speedway