Gesso: From Ground to Gold

Have you ever wondered how artworks in the CMA’s collection are cared for? Join CMA conservators and technicians for guided tours of the galleries. Investigate artists’ materials and processes and learn about how the museum preserves artworks for the future.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
David Piurek, Senior Conservation Technician for Paintings and Frames RestorerExplore the world of gilded frames with the CMA’s senior conservation technician for paintings and frames restorer, David Piurek. His tour focuses on the importance of gesso as the structural and aesthetic base of some of the CMA’s most ornate frames. Piurek discusses the techniques of pastiglia, burnishing, punchwork, recutting, and compo and brings hands-on examples for guests to get a closer look.