ROBERT G. LODGE
As of 2021, Robert has been a conservator in Oberlin for 39 years (since 1982).
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- AIA The American Institute of Architects, Elected Associate, since 2011 (10 years)
- AIC American Institute for Conservation, Professional Associate, since 1989 (32 years)
- ICOM International Council of Museums (US)
- CSI The Construction Specifications Institute, Professional
- NACE The National Association of Corrosion Engineers
WORK-RELEVANT TRADE MEMBERSHIPS
- SSPC The Society for Protective Coatings (formerly the Steel Structures Painting Council)
- ICRI International Concrete Repair Institute
- CSDA Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Chief Conservator, Conservation Administrator, Conservation Projects Manager and Conservation Educator for over 30 years (since 1990)
Founder of McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc. in Oberlin Ohio in 1990. Currently oversees a staff of six (6) conservators, Three (3) conservation assistants and one (1) office manager. At the outset, he has employed in his company other conservators and worked to further their careers as well as provided work experience to a number of interns who have since become successful professional conservators. Over time, he has encouraged and mentored several talented and skilled individuals and conservation assistants to eventually become Professional Associates of AIC and work as professional conservators in a variety of specialties. Administers and manages the company and its conservation services and as chief conservator oversees the work of six staff AIC Professional Associate conservators and three conservation assistants. Currently employs and manages conservators with specialties in paintings and polychrome surfaces, paper and documents, objects, monuments, architectural features, sculpture of all media and especially outdoor sculpture. For more information on the conservation services company, its staff and its work, visit www.mckaylodge.com.
Projects Manager and GSA Conservator for Architectural Features, Mosaics, Sculpture Conservation Contracts since 1997 (24 Years)
Manages and participates in the conservation treatments of architectural features, wall paintings, murals, mosaics, sculpture, fountains and monuments for McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory, Inc. conservation contracts. Managed and manages multiple and successive large federal (GSA) 5-year term contracts for conservation since 1997 with the current 5-year GSA contract in force until 2026 (a span of 24 years). These contracts are for the conservation of the federal fine arts collection and for the GSA Art-in-Architecture commissions located throughout the contiguous United States as well as in the National Capital Region, Alaska, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.
Manager and Chief Conservator for the following GSA Contracts for Conservation Services in all GSA regions of the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands as well as the National Capital Region:
- 2021-2026 GSA Region 8 (6 States) – Contract 47PJ0021D0003 (GSA Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming)
- 2019 – 2024 NCR* IDIQ Contract – 47PM069D0001
- 2017 – 2022 National IDIQ Contract – GS00P17D-0002
- 2011 – 2016 National IDIQ Contract – GS-00P11CZD0003
- 2010 – 2015 NCR IDIQ Contract – GS11P10YAD0016
- 2005 – 2010 National IDIQ Contract – GS00P05CYD0115
- 2003 – 2009 NCR IDIQ Contract – GS11P03YAD0053
- 1997 – 2001 National IDIQ Contract – GS11P97AQD0001
* National Capital Region
Collection Condition Assessor for 39 years
Conducted museum collection condition assessments and advised on condition information management throughout his 39-year career as a conservator. Conducted Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) museum assessments for Heritage Preservation of the Smithsonian Institution. Substantial past experience in conducting NEA, IMLS and other on-site assessments of museum preservation procedures and collection condition in paintings, sculpture, objects, industrial artifacts and art on paper since 1982.
Conservation Information Management
Developer of numerous conservation information and small collection information databases in Microsoft Access/Visual Basic for Applications. Consultant on managing collection condition information.
Conservator of Modern Art
Specialized professional practice in the conservation of modern and contemporary art since 1982. This focus transcends the traditional media boundaries of paintings, sculpture, etc. and includes modern industrial materials.
Microscopist
Paint film studies, pigments identification and metallurgical studies. Performs all optical particle and cross-sectional microscopy for the company’s conservators.
Specialty: Conservator of Mosaics
Trained and experienced in the conservation of mosaics and especially in their removals for salvage and preservation in new locations. Has completed many large-scale mosaic removals and installations in new locations to preserve them from destruction. Graduate school research in ancient mosaic excavation and remounting.
CURRENT TECHNICAL SPECIALTY
Conservation of Painted Steel Sculpture / Corrosion Control for Historic and Artistic Metal Objects
Industry-trained industrial coatings inspector and coatings failure analyst. Concentrating on failure analysis and new applications of modern industrial coatings (paints) for monumental steel and other metal sculpture and valuable historic artifacts.
CURRENT PRINCIPAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
GSA Design Excellence Program:
Participates in the GSA (U.S. General Services Administration) Design Excellence Program on technical and preservation matters involving art in the architectural environment. This participation is most often as a technical reviewer at a phase in the process of commissioning public art when matters are considered by the artists, conservators, architects, engineers and GSA officials relating to the effects of location on the maintenance and preservation of artworks, projections of maintenance costs, and any recommendations for materials or construction alterations that may benefit the longevity of the artwork with the artist’s approval. His work in this capacity involves the evaluation of art as well as architectural spaces for the degree of excellence the government endeavors to achieve.
“GSA manages architects and engineers to provide design for federal clients needing new workspace. To achieve top-quality design talent, GSA has instituted the Design Excellence Program, which includes a streamlined two-step architect/engineer selection process and the use of private-sector peers such as conservators to provide feedback to the architect/engineer of record.”
“The program stresses creativity. It also streamlines the way GSA hires architects and engineers, substantially cutting the cost of competing for GSA design contracts.”
“The Design Excellence Program operates through GSA’s Public Buildings Service (PBS). GSA’s PBS directs the federal government’s multibillion-dollar building program, which includes construction, renovation, alteration, and repair of federal office buildings, courthouses, and other facilities. Most of GSA’s work is in partnership with architect/engineer groups from the private sector.”
GSA Art-in Architecture Program:
Largely active as chief conservator for conservation services provided to the U.S. General Services Administration’s Art-in-Architecture Program through multiple and continuous IDIQ contracts for the past 24 years, since 1997. “The GSA Art in Architecture Program oversees the commissioning of artworks for new federal buildings nationwide. These artworks enhance the civic meaning of federal architecture and showcase the vibrancy of American visual arts. Together, the art and architecture of federal buildings create a lasting cultural legacy for the people of the United States.”
2002 GSA Peer Professional:
Appointed in 2002 as a member of the GSA National Register of Peer Professionals. A Peer Review Professional participates in efforts to improve design quality in public art and architecture through the GSA Design Excellence Program.
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
2002 GSA Peer Professional
Appointed Member, GSA (General Services Administration) National Register of Peer Professionals – a Peer Review Professional in conservation participating in efforts to improve design quality in public art and architecture through the GSA Design Excellence Program.
AWARDS (other than company awards)
- 1996 GSA Design Award Citation
“The U.S. General Services Administration Public Buildings Service Presents This Certificate to Robert G. Lodge for Conservation of Sculpture and Restoration of Fountain Department of State Washington, DC. In Recognition of Your Outstanding Contribution to Excellence in Federal design.” December 12, 2002
- 1998 Alumni Achievement Award
School of Arts and Architecture, Pennsylvania State University
- 2000 SOS!
Save Outdoor Sculpture! Commends Monument Defender Mr. Robert Lodge for significant efforts to preserve Harvey Rice Monument, Cleveland, OH a vital part of our national collection of outdoor sculpture for the 21st. century.
- 2002 GSA Design Excellence Program Certificate of Appreciation
“The U.S. General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, presents this Certificate of Appreciation to Robert G. Lodge for contributions o=to quality and lasting achievement in Federal design.”
PRESENT POSITIONS
January 1990 – Present (31 years)
President, Chief Conservator
McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc., 10915 Pyle-South Amherst Road, Oberlin, Ohio 44074
September 2001 – Present (20 years)
Managing Member
Oberlin Conservation Associates, LLC. Employs conservators and conservation assistants for Art / Artifacts / Monuments / Fountains Preservation & Maintenance. Office at Kopco & Co, CPA, 5336 Meadow Lane Court, Sheffield Village, OH 44035
EDUCATION
1979 – 1982
MSc. Winterthur Museum/University of Delaware Art Conservation Program
Master of Science in Art Conservation, 1982
1978 – 1979, Hunter College, New York, N.Y.
Organic and physical chemistry
1976 – 1978, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Candidate: Master of Arts in Art History in Ancient Art (degree not taken)
1973 – 1975
BA Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Arts in Art History
Minor in Greek and Latin
1969 – 1971, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
Painting, Drawing, Graphics, Sculpture
PRESENTATIONS ON CONSERVATION
1981
Ultraviolet Specular Reflection
By Robert Lodge
Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), Philadelphia, May 1981
1982
Conservation of the Allen Art Museum’s Antioch Mosaic
By Robert Lodge and Gina McKay
General Session of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 26-30, 1982
1984
Speaker and Program Organizer
Issues Related to the Conservation of 20th Century Paintings
Fall Seminar of the Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA), Oberlin, OH, October 1984
1986
Robert Lodge and Gina McKay
Removing Severe Distortions from a Pastel on Canvas: A Collaborative Treatment
Institute of Paper Conservation, 10th Annual Meeting, Oxford, England, April 1986
1987
Panel Member
Impermanence: What are the Problems? Are there any Solutions?
College Art Association of America (CAA), Boston, MA, February 1997
1987
Panel Member (moderated by Carol Mancusi-Ungaro)
Ethical Judgements: The Treatment of Modern Paintings
AIC Paintings Specialty Group Meeting, Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), Vancouver, BC, May 1987
1987
Analyzing Susceptibilities: Special Problems of Paintings and Works on Paper
By Robert Lodge and Gina McKay
Spring Seminar of the Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA), Oberlin, OH, April 22 and 23, 1987
1987
Ethical Issues in the Conservation of Modern Paintings
By Robert Lodge
Fall Seminar of the Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA), Oberlin, OH, November 1987
1988
A History of Artists Use of Synthetic Media
By Robert Lodge
Annual Meeting of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), New Orleans, LA, May 1988
1989
Guest Speaker
For the course “Lectures for History of Art 816”
Ohio State University, held at the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, OH.
April 20: Robert Lodge presents Research Methodologies – Methods used by Conservators in Analyzing Materials and Techniques for the Purpose of Authentification or Dating of Paintings
April 25: Robert Lodge presents Conservation of Paintings – (1) Care and Handling, (2) Treatment Technical and Aesthetic Issues
April 27: Robert Lodge conducts A class tour of the McKay Lodge Conservation Laboratory in Oberlin, OH
1991
Guest Speaker
Introducing aspects of art conservation to a graduate school art history class seminar at Ohio State University, April, 1991.
2006
Guest Speaker
Issues in the Conservation of Pictures, a seminar presentation and discussions for graduate students in the course Art History 409: Museum Studies, Pennsylvania State University, March 27, 200
2013
The Conservation of Romare Bearden’s Pittsburgh Recollections”
By Robert Lodge
Public Art Network Preconference of the Americans for the Arts Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA
2019
Speaker (with conservator Rosa Lowinger)
Ask an Expert: Conserving & Maintaining Public Artworks
Americans for the Arts Podcast, October 22, 2019
Record of Date Lost
Presenter
Workshop on Collection Surveying
IMLS Museum Assessment Program, Chicago, IL
Record of Date Lost
Speaker
Use of Infrared Luminescence in the Examination of Paintings
Association of Forensic Document Examiners meeting, Cleveland, Ohio
Record of Date Lost
Speaker
The Fallacy of Artists Intent
Washington Conservation Group meeting, Washington, DC
Record of Date Lost
Guest Speaker
Key Aspects of Paintings Conservation
Undergraduate course: Approaches to Art History
Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio
Record of Date Lost
Invitation to and Class Introduction to Guest Speakers:
David Carrier, art philosopher and writer
Albert Albano, then Director of Conservation, Museum of Modern Art, NY
Undergraduate course: Approaches to Art History, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH