As the snow dusts the top of the trees and the cold air sets in, there are less distractions affording us more time to process our surroundings and make new discoveries—the theme of this volume of the Art Conservator. We have had one of the busiest years at the Center, filled with interdisciplinary opportunities to research and make insights into the projects on which we collaborate. In this issue, we feature the work of Brook Prestowitz, who conserves and analyzes several folios from a medieval book of hours from France. Immerse yourself in the world of medieval manuscript making as you look upon the delicate details applied with gold leaf and gorgeous pigments with latin translations by Williams College professor, Dr. Joel Pattinson. We also have incredible contributions from other colleagues in Atlanta and Williamstown—whether it be a beautiful glass and gilded Briati Chair, to the materials and techniques used by Pieter Lastman, or a recently discovered Norman Rockwell.

Part of our core mission and personal dedication is the continued education of those that are studying to be a museum professional or conservator. We have the distinct pleasure of teaching both our pre-program interns and the art history graduate students at Williams College. This year we are excited to have two Lenett Fellows through a collaboration between the Center, the Clark Institute of Art, and Williams College: Delaney Keenan and S.J. Young, both of whom are in their last year in the graduate art history program at Williams College. Delaney is working with me in the paintings conservation lab to study the preparatory grounds used by Nehemiah Partridge and John Heaton in early 18th century Dutch Patroon portraits in the collection of the Albany Institute of History and Art. S.J. is working with Christine Puza and Brook Prestowitz on a variety of 18th-19th century textiles and paper ephemera. SJ is interested in the intercultural exchange between France and former colonies as reflected in styles of dress. Research produced by these projects will be published in the next volume of the Art Conservator. Our extremely talented pre-program conservation interns have also been teaming up with our Lenett fellows to understand the many tools available for technical analysis. They continue to amaze us while they prepare their applications for admissions to graduate art conservation programs—in this issue, we teamed our interns with their supervisors to tell us about the pre-program internship, what they’re up to in the labs, and what inspires them to pursue a career in art conservation.

Both myself and all of my colleagues wish you a wonderful holiday and prosperous New Year as you read about our recent endeavors in art conservation.

— Maggie Barkovic