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.

tyler lentini - studio manager and Registrar

Tyler joined Alvarez in 2024 after working as a Conservation Technician and an Art Logistics Administrator. He holds a BFA in Painting with a minor in Art History from the State University of New York at New Paltz and continued his education at Columbia University, studying Data Analytics with a focus on database management. As the Registrar and Studio Manager at Alvarez, he is responsible for documenting all artwork before and after treatment, preparing artwork for examination, producing written reports, communicating with clients concerning their artwork, and overseeing studio projects.

IAN PEDIGO - fitter/art handler

Ian joined Alvarez Conservation in 2024 after spending several years working as an art handler and installer for galleries in New York City. At Alvarez, Ian 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. Ian holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Dallas as well as a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.