Sitting squarely at the intersection of art and science is the delicate—and often invisible—practice of conservation. Behind museum glass and gallery walls, conservationists wage a daily battle against time, decay and environmental wear, using their deep knowledge of chemistry, materials and history to preserve cultural heritage for future generations.

For Oglethorpe University student Kate Arrett ’25, this behind-the-scenes work is where her academic passions come alive. An art history major with a deep curiosity about chemistry and studio technique, Kate found the perfect place to bring her interests together this past spring during an internship at the Atlanta Art Conservation Center (AACC). She’s the first Oglethorpe student to do so.

There, under the close mentorship of senior paper conservator Snow Fain, Kate was able to turn classroom theory into real-world practice, applying the skills she’d honed in her Oglethorpe coursework to the meticulous restoration of a Japanese folding screen from the Late Edo period. The screen, called “The Emperor’s Stables,” is part of the permanent collection of the university’s on-campus teaching museum, the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art (OUMA).

“Kate came to the lab ready to learn about conservation firsthand,” says Fain, who worked closely with Kate throughout the internship. “While working on ‘The Emperor’s Stables,’ she showed great attention to detail, dexterity and patience, which are essential qualities for such a complex treatment. She understands the importance of conservation, and I look forward to seeing her thrive in the conservation world.”

To equip herself for a career in conservation, Arrett immersed herself in her academics and took advantage of a wealth of campus resources. As a first-year, she was immediately drawn to OUMA, and quickly secured a position as a student worker. There, she worked closely with its permanent collection and learned directly from museum professionals. That hands-on experience deepened her appreciation for the care and responsibility required to preserve art and artifacts and helped solidify her interest in pursuing conservation professionally.

In addition to her coursework in art history and chemistry, she also received specific instruction in conservation from courses in the recently established museum studies minor. Specifically, the course “Art Materials, Techniques and Conservation” helped her explore the theoretical and historical context for art preservation, giving her a foundational understanding of the field and introducing her to the scientific principles that underlie conservation work.

“Great things await Kate Arrett in the field of art conservation,” said Elizabeth Peterson Jennings, director of OUMA. “She has excelled in chemistry, studio practice, and historical research, deftly combining these disparate fields, which are at the heart of conservation work. This is a tremendous undertaking, but she makes it look easy.”

Arrett’s internship at the AACC has confirmed her passion for conservation and has prepared her well to take the next step in her career. With plans to apply to graduate programs in art conservation, she is building on a strong academic foundation and vital hands-on experience, rare for an undergraduate student to attain, that will position her for success in a highly competitive field.

From lecture halls to lab benches, Arrett is proving that the path to preserving the past is also one of personal and professional discovery.