Strengthening Central New York as a Hub for Art Preservation and Culture
The Westlake Art Conservation Center is entering a transformative new chapter as it opens its state-of-the-art facility overlooking Owasco Lake – an investment that brings world-class art conservation services to Central New York.
This milestone was made possible through a lead gift from the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, enabling the non-profit to relocate and significantly expand its conservation laboratories.
Additional support from the Fred L. Emerson Foundation has equipped the new facility with advanced tools and technologies found nowhere else in the region, positioning Westlake among the most comprehensive non-profit conservation centers in New York State.
For more than 50 years, West Lake Conservators has served museums, historical organizations, universities, private collectors and families throughout the Northeast. The new West Lake Art Conservation Center builds on this legacy with a bold vision: To preserve cultural heritage locally while creating a vibrant center for education, collaboration and community engagement.
A home for preservation and learning
The new campus reflects an expanded mission that goes well beyond traditional conservation services. Purposefully designed to support technical excellence and public engagement, the facility includes:
• State-of-the-art conservation laboratories for paintings, murals, works on paper, photographs, frames and objects
• A lecture hall for workshops, seminars and public programs
• Professional digitization services that provide high-resolution images for documentation, research and reproduction
• Dedicated spaces for internships, hands-on training and professional development
• Future gallery space to support exhibitions and public access
Together, these spaces establish Westlake as a destination – not only for expert conservation care, but for learning how art is preserved for future generations.
A critical resource for the region
Across New York State, many museums and historical organizations have faced growing difficulty accessing local conservation care. As specialized services disappear, institutions are often forced to ship artworks out of state; this expensive process introduces risk, delays and a loss of local connection to cultural assets.
Westlake was founded to address this very challenge.
The Center’s board and leadership recognized that a region as rich in history and creativity as Central New York deserves its own world-class conservation resources. With specialized laboratories and an experienced team of conservators working across multiple mediums, Westlake now fills a vital gap, ensuring that important artworks and artifacts can remain close to home throughout the conservation process.
This vision has been championed by the New York State Regional Economic Development Council and Senator Rachel May’s office, whose support underscores the cultural and economic importance of keeping conservation services accessible, affordable and local.
Preserving the past, investing in the future
As a non-profit, Westlake is committed to public access and education. In the coming year, the Center will begin offering expanded programming, including conservation workshops, collection-care and emergency-response training, internships for students and emerging professionals and public lectures designed to demystify the science and art of conservation.
By sharing knowledge openly, Westlake aims to empower institutions, collectors and families to better care for their treasured artworks – strengthening preservation efforts across the region.
“This facility represents far more than a physical expansion,” shared members of the Westlake Board. “It is an investment in Central New York’s cultural future. We are creating a place where preservation, education and community come together, ensuring that art and history remain accessible for generations to come.”
An invitation to the community
As Westlake begins this new chapter, the Center invites donors, partners and community members to become part of its growing impact. Philanthropic support directly advances conservation capacity, educational offerings and long-term sustainability, ensuring that priceless cultural resources can continue to be cared for locally.
Visitors are encouraged to tour the facility, attend upcoming programs and experience firsthand how art conservation supports both heritage preservation and regional vitality.
To learn more, schedule a visit, or support the mission of the West Lake Art Conservation Center, contact info@wlacc.org, call 315-685-8534 or visit westlakeconservators.com..
