Over the past 30 years our company has developed a superior reputation for skillful and sensible service among galleries, dealers, institutions, and private collectors in the United States and abroad.

Our founders

Antonio Alvarez and Scott Krawitz established Alvarez Conservation Services in 1984 after meeting and working closely at Lowy Frame and Restoration Co. Since then Alvarez has striven to develop and refine a state-of-the-art studio and team of specialists dedicated exclusively to handling paper conservation projects. Although Alvarez has remained a small, personal and service-oriented company, it has built a prodigious reputation as the paper conservation studio for complicated paper conservation projects.

As of March 2020, after over 50 years as a practicing conservator, Antonio has stepped into the role of conservator emeritus. He continues to offer consultations on special evaluations and projects.

Scott continues to bring over 30 years of business acumen to managing Alvarez’s development and high level client services.

Our Team 

Michael Reck, Chief Conservator

Since joining Alvarez in 2002, Michael has risen to the position of Chief Conservator and manages the design and execution of all Alvarez’s conservation treatments. He brings 8 years of previous vintage poster, print and modern art conservation experience to the team. Michael is a practicing artist and holds a degree in Studio Art from Cooper Union School of Art.

michael@alvarezconservation.com

Christopher Skura, Senior Conservator

Christopher joined Alvarez in 2007 following a 20 year career as a museum professional and then as a studio assistant to master paintings conservator, Dr. Charles Von Nostitz in New York City. From 1997 - 2010 he owned and operated a gilded surface and period frame restoration studio. Christopher has also been a studio assistant to many artists, including John Chamberlain and Hunt Slonem, and has completed James Bernstein's Mastering Inpainting Workshop at the Ringling Museum of Art. Christopher is a practicing artist and holds degrees in studio art from The Ringling College of Art and Design and liberal arts from New York University.

christopher@alvarezconservation.com

akiko yamazaki-kleps, Conservator

Akiko brings a depth of experience to Alvarez based on her expertise conserving paper, parchment, and papyrus acquired at The Smithsonian Institute Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The American Museum of Natural History. Akiko holds a Master of Arts in Conservation degree from University of the Arts London.

Charlotte Cooney - Registrar

Charlotte joined Alvarez in the summer of 2022 with previous experience as an archival assistant at the Calder Foundation and as the registrar at the Michael Rosenfeld Gallery. As the registrar, she is responsible for photographing all artwork before and after treatment, preparing artwork for examination, producing condition and treatment reports, communicating with clients concerning incoming and outgoing artwork, and overseeing studio projects and scheduling. Charlotte holds bachelor degrees in Archaeology and Art History from the University of Virginia.

GRANT GUSTAFSON - fitter/art handler

Grant joined Alvarez Conservation in 2021 after moving to New York from the Midwest. At Alvarez, Grant is in charge of fitting and hinging artwork into new or existing frames after conservation as well as wrapping and packaging work for pick up or shipping. Grant holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics from the University of Colorado Boulder as well as a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin Madison.