Joan Mitchell: Uncovering 100 Years | A conversation with Scott Nolley

In 2023, Scott W. Nolley, Head Conservator at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, painstakingly restored two paintings by Joan Mitchell in The Fralin Museum of Art’s collection. Nolley cleaned Untitled in real-time as it was publicly displayed at The Fralin, offering both University of Virginia students and visitors a rare chance to witness a process of art restoration that is normally conducted behind closed doors. This exhibition uncovers Joan Mitchell’s work—both through the conservation process and by revealing how conservators engage with scientific processes to preserve works of art for future generations.

How does the conservation change the appearance of these works? Does the cleaning affect how you perceive them? What might visitors think about these works in the next hundred years? Discuss these questions and more, while viewing the paintings with Scott.

This exhibition talk is free, however space is limited.

Host or Publisher The Fralin Museum of Art