The Fillet Foundation is forged from 30 years of architectural preservation experience.
My career path was launched by an undergraduate art conservation internship at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles in the 1990’s. Hooked by the interlocking focuses of art, science, history and hands-on experience of fixing things for the future, I went on to receive a Masters Degree in Stained Glass Conservation from the Royal College of Art in London. As the first Black woman and the second person in the world to receive this degree (on a full scholarship) I recognize the privileged opportunity I was given.
Three decades later, there still isn’t a place in the States where you can receive a graduate degree exclusively in stained glass conservation. Moreover, the importance of skill achieved through many different paths (not just via academic means) remains undervalued. Preservation tradespeople lament that “no one” is interested in carrying on our type of work, and training opportunities remain scarce, especially on the West Coast.
In the Bay Area where we are based, many specialists retire with a lifetime of knowledge, tools and materials with no successors. In part it’s because the cost of living forces people entering the job market to choose between their passions or their pocketbooks. Anyone wanting to enter, work or mentor within the preservation profession can barely afford to live here. Often the only time we are welcome inside beautifully cared for Craftsman, Victorian or mid-century modern masterpieces is when restoring them for others.
When I founded my Oakland-based company, Nzilani Glass Conservation in 2003, I quickly learned how inequality leads to some of the most deserving people and projects missing out on the opportunity to experience preservation first hand. It is frustrating, and frankly disheartening, to want to work with folks and not have the resources to turn that desire into action.
Seeking out like-minded people, I’ve slowly transformed my frustration into purpose and a channel for fostering inclusivity. I thrive on actively engaging in training through cross-cultural and intergenerational collaboration. Sharing techniques via social media means information can reach a wide audience. Pairing safety protocols with treating art ensures that people’s health and wellbeing isn’t overlooked. In person activities further enhance the experience by enabling one-on-one learning and practical, real-world applications.
But, it’s still not enough. I want to do more. We can do more, and that’s why I started the Fillet Foundation. The impact of shared preservation knowledge, both tangible and intangible, is immeasurable; but the funding it takes to make a difference is very real. I encourage you to take a look at the work we are doing, and if you feel the same way, donate and elevate our cause.
Your Partner in Preservation (people, place & planet),