LongitudeSite organized a field trip to the art conservation studios at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston on October 14, 2025.

(See a reel of highlights and reflections by Lipi Gandhi.)

The group included students from Rice University, University of St Thomas, and Houston Community College majoring in various fields, including art history, biology, religion, and business, as well as a professor of finance from St Thomas and Ipek Martinez from LongitudeSite.

Featured left to right: Katherine Citino, Helen Citino, Lipi Gandhi, Shelby Unkefer, Evalyn Navarro, Per Knutas, Ipek Martinez, Sidika Gulfem Bayram.

Everyone who participated had a common interest: to learn about the art conservation process and gain a deeper understanding of activities behind the scenes at the MFAH. Mr. Per Knutas, Chairman of Sarah Campbell Blaffer Foundation Center for Conservation, led the group through the studios while sharing an overview of the conservation activities, their purpose, and the types of objects they handle.

The studio has 80,000 objects to care for, including paintings, sculptures, and functional objects. The conservation process involves preventative care, active conservation, and research. The studio employs 21 people and has a diverse collection, including items from various cultures and time periods.

Knutas discussed the challenges of preserving modern and contemporary art, the importance of cultural sensitivity, and the use of advanced technologies like X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy for authentication of artworks and understanding the materials used in them.

The studio maintains detailed records for each object, including condition reports and research notes. There are expansion plans soon to continue its mission of preserving cultural heritage and making it accessible to future generations.