Founder and Chief Conservator
Peggy Van Witt is a third-generation paintings conservator. Based in the Metro of Kansas City, she works in private practice in her state-of-the-art conservation studio.
She is a long standing member and Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) and adheres to a strict Code of Ethics. She is also a member of The New England Conservation Association, Conservators in Private Practice (CIPP), and the Midwest Conservation Guild and Heritage Preservation.
Through the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works she attended dozens of industry workshops such as Varnishes and Surface Coatings, Adhesives for Conservation, Mastering Inpainting, Modular Cleaning and the Symposium of Early European Paintings offered at Yale, New Haven.
Ms. Van Witt’s has worked in Germany, England, Switzerland, Belgium and North Africa. Prior to moving to Kansas City 1n 2003, Ms. Van Witt worked as a conservator in private practice in Westport, Connecticut, initially under the tutelage of Conservator Arnold Wagner, co-founder of Conservators in Private Practice (CIPP). To this day, Ms. Van Witt collaborates on projects with Mr. Wagner.
Ms. Van Witt's conservation education began in post-war Europe trained by Salome Panthel, conservator at Frankfurt's Stadt Museum. In the 1970s and '80s, Peggy received two Bachelors degrees and a Masters degree. In addition to her studies at the University of Southern California, the Art Center College of Design, and the University of Maryland's European Division.
A lively and sought-after lecturer on art conservation and the care and treatment of paintings, Ms. Van Witt's lectures include hands-on demonstrations and conservation assessments. Email Ms. Van Witt directly at peggyvanwitt@icloud.com
Senior Conservator
Arnold Wagner is a tour de force among art conservators. He lives in New York and is retired.
Mr. Wagner's artistic gifts came to light when he was a teenager. He attended the Art Students League and became an illustrator for men's adventure magazines and book covers. His foray into art conservation began when he read "The Cleaning of Painting: Problems and Potentialities." When he realized how much he already knew, it was an epiphany. Immersing himself in chemistry, material sciences, and the art of connoisseurship, a gifted conservator was born.
Mr. Wagner began his career restoring art in a small studio in the Bronx Eventually, he went to work for world-renowned painting and mural conservator Margaret Watherston. During his career he has worked on numerous important works and prominent collections.
As a Professional Associate of the prestigious American Institute for Conservation, Mr. Wagner has mentored many students over the years, including Van Witt Fine Art Conservation founder Peggy Van Witt. He continues to share his wisdom and experience with young conservators. To this day he remains active as a consultant for Van Witt Fine Art Conservation.