Restoration of UVI-African Object Collections Post Hurricane Irma/Maria

FAIN: PB-263980-18

University of the Virgin Islands (Charlotte Amalie, VI 00802-6004)
Denise R. Humphrey (Project Director: June 2018 to March 2021)

Consulting fees and travel expenses for a conservator, and the purchase conservation supplies. Repairs to the masks include slow drying to avoid cracking or warping the wood, treatment with ultraviolet light and chemicals, and cleaning with a HEPA vacuum. The grant will also support packing and transportation costs to move the masks to a temporary storage location.

The university’s Reichhold Center for the Arts holds a collection of African artifacts including ten ceremonial masks and 15 other artifacts including masks, staffs, and burial urns. Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed the roof of the Reichhold Center, where the masks were housed, leading to extensive damage from water, resulting in widespread mold and mildew growth.