Wooden gilded surfaces, such as those found in churches across Brazil, were created with a multitude of layers, encompassing animal glue–based grounds and colored bole, gold or silver leaf, and colored varnishes. Over time grime, soot from candles, bats, and bird droppings accumulate on these delicate decorative surfaces. Since these surfaces are typically fragile and highly sensitive to water, cleaning can be a challenging endeavor, with treatment options potentially resulting in irremediable damage or even surface loss. The task can become even more challenging when restoration campaigns involve materials that may need to be removed, such as metal-based paints used to imitate gold, or modern commercial white overpaints.

Offered for the first time in Brazil, this workshop will introduce participants to a range of cleaning systems to remove dirt as well as overpaint on water-sensitive gilded surfaces. It will also provide participants a guide into the assessment of surfaces, from their nature to their condition, allowing them to decide what cleaning options can be considered and implemented. Time will also be allocated to discuss strategies to advocate for treatment approaches with the various stakeholders involved in the preservation of these surfaces, such as priests, community members, organizations evaluating treatment proposals.

The five-day workshop will be in person at the Centro de Conservação e Restauração de Bens Culturais Movéis (CECOR) at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte and the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Catas Altas, Minas Gerais.

The first two and a half days will be spent in CECOR’s laboratories, discussing, preparing and testing a variety of cleaning systems, including polysaccharide gels and PVOH-borax gels. Participants will be provided with mock-ups prepared for the workshop.

The group will travel to Catas Altas where the remaining two days will be spent on site in the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Conceição. There, participants will be guided through the interpretation and assessment of the various surfaces found in the church, which will inform discussions about treatment approaches. Cleaning tests will be performed on selected objects from the church. A final session will be dedicated to advocacy for the preservation of gilded decorative surfaces through tailored treatment strategies, by engaging with the various stakeholders involved in the decision-making process.

Supplementary online components will be made available before and after the workshop to deepen participant engagement.

The teaching team has extensive experience in wooden gilded surfaces and cleaning of sensitive decorative surfaces. Instructors include:

• Dr. Stéphanie Auffret, Senior Project Specialist, Getty Conservation Institute Los Angeles, USA
• Rita de Cássia Cavalcante, Professional Fellow, Getty Conservation Institute Los Angeles, USA
• Matthew Cushman, Conservator in charge, Worcester Art Museum, USA
• Marie Dubost, conservator of gilded surfaces, Paris, France
• Dr. Pérside Omena Ribeiro, conservator of gilded surfaces, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
• Dr. Alessandra Rosado, Professor UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
• Dr. Luiz Souza, Professor UFMG, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
• Chris Stavroudis, paintings conservator, Los Angeles, USA

Additional lectures by specialists of the conservation of wooden gilded surfaces will supplement the contents of the workshop through pre-recorded presentations that will be shared with participants before the workshop, through an online teaching platform.

August 25—29, 2025

Space for this workshop is limited to twenty-four conservators with at least three-to-five years’ experience working with wooden gilded and polychrome surfaces. Priority will be given to applicants currently working in Latin America, who can demonstrate a commitment to sharing the knowledge and skills gained during the course with their colleagues and the wider conservation community.

Selection Process

The selection process is competitive. Prospective participants must submit an online application and curriculum vitae by the deadline, and the workshop organizer may contact applicants for further information.

The workshop organizers will preferentially target practitioners from Latin America, especially Brazil, to support the regional heritage community. Organizers will seek diverse participation in terms of applicant’s organizational size and professional role, including emerging professionals.

The workshop will be conducted in English and Portuguese, with concurrent translation as needed. Candidates must have good technical knowledge and command of the English or Portuguese languages. Teaching materials captioned in English and Portuguese will be shared with participants in advance of the course to facilitate understanding of technical terms.

The workshop fee is USD $300 (three hundred US dollars), and includes tuition, workshop materials, daily morning and afternoon tea/coffee breaks, daily lunches, and a group dinner, as well as transportation between Belo Horizonte and Catas Altas.

Participants are responsible for round-trip transportation costs to Belo Horizonte, lodging, meals not included in the fee, any applicable visa fees, and all other travel and incidental expenses.

Participants based outside of Brazil may need to obtain visas or visa waivers to enter Brazil for the workshop. Successful applicants are responsible for their visa applications for travel to Brazil and the associated expenses.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek financial support from sources such as governmental institutions, employers, and funding agencies. The workshop organizers may be able to offer some financial assistance to a limited number of selected applicants who are unable to secure funding.

Select criteria for financial assistance include:

• Working at a small institution
• Working in private practice
• Emerging conservators
• Candidates from Latin America

Applicants who require financial assistance to attend the workshop should indicate their specific needs in the online application.

Applicants are required to complete an online application form and upload their curriculum vitae (CV) of no more than two pages.

Steps to Apply

1. Review the bilingual (English-Portuguese), read-only application form (PDF) and gather needed information and documents. Your application must be completed in one session.
2. Input required information into online application form.
3. Upload curriculum vitae (CV) to the online application form.
4. Submit online application form. Once your application has been completed, you will receive a confirmation within one week. If you do not receive a confirmation, please contact the Cleaning of Wooden Gilded Surfaces team at contact GCICollections@getty.edu.

• March 17, 2025: Deadline for submission of online application and two-page curriculum vitae (CV)
• April 17, 2025: Applicants will receive an email notifying them if they have been selected to participate in the workshop and, if applicable, information about financial assistance. Those not selected will be added to a waiting list.
• May 19, 2025: Deadline for participants to submit payment of the workshop tuition fee

Applicants who do not submit payment by the deadline will have their registration canceled. Available spaces will then be offered to those on the waiting list.

For further information or questions, please contact GCICollections@getty.edu.

The Centro de Conservação e Restauração de Bens Culturais Movéis (CECOR) is a conservation center at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte. It houses the very first Brazilian undergraduate training course in Conservation-Restoration of Cultural Properties and contributes to the field of conservation of cultural heritage as a whole, due to its integration and collaborations with other preservation institutions and initiatives all over Brazil and beyond.