Business Details
Emergency
services
Expert Conservation & Restoration Services
RLA Conservation is a woman-founded firm dedicated to preserving cultural heritage through specialized conservation and restoration services for sculpture, historic architecture, and artifacts. Our team of professionally trained conservators and artisans operates from fully staffed studios in Los Angeles and Miami, serving clients across the United States, Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean. We adhere strictly to the Code of Ethics of the American Institute for Conservation and the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Properties. Our expertise spans modern and contemporary art, monumental outdoor sculpture, 20th-century buildings, and Latin American art, with particular proficiency in addressing climate-specific challenges in tropical, marine, and desert environments. Our conservators hold degrees from accredited programs in six countries, and we maintain in-house artisans for superior quality control.We are committed to diversity, multilingual communication (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Haitian Creole), and ethical practices that prioritize long-term preservation. Our work includes condition assessments, stabilization, conservation, maintenance, and emergency response for both private and public institutions. We have executed projects for prestigious clients including the Getty Conservation Institute, Dia Art Foundation, and Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Our team's credentials include fellowships from leading conservation organizations and certifications in safety protocols, material-specific treatments, and international preservation standards.
Services
Conservation Treatment
Collection Surveys
Insurance Evaluations
Architectural Services
Public Art Reviews
Highlights and features
- Our conservators hold degrees from accredited programs in six countries
- We maintain in-house artisans for superior quality control
- We adhere to strict international conservation ethics and standards
- Specialized expertise in tropical, marine, and desert climate preservation
- Multilingual team fluent in five languages for global client communication
Associations and certifications
- American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
- Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties
Services
Conservation Treatment
Specialized conservation treatments for cultural heritage objects using scientifically validated methods. Our team addresses material-specific challenges while maintaining historical integrity. Services include stabilization, repair, and long-term management of artifacts, sculptures, and architectural elements.
Collection Surveys
Comprehensive collection surveys and condition assessments for museums, private collectors, and public institutions. We identify preservation needs, prioritize conservation efforts, and develop maintenance protocols tailored to specific environmental conditions.
Public Art Reviews
Expert evaluation and conservation planning for public art installations. Our services include material analysis, environmental impact assessments, and development of maintenance programs for outdoor sculptures and architectural artworks.
Emergency Services
24/7 emergency conservation services for disaster-damaged collections. Our team specializes in salvage operations, graffiti removal, and stabilization of structures affected by fire, earthquakes, or environmental hazards.
Architectural Services
Preservation of historic buildings and architectural elements, including material testing, specification development, and conservation of modern construction materials like linoleum and synthetic finishes.
People
Rosa Lowinger
Founder and Co-Chief Conservator
With over 30 years of experience, Rosa holds an MA in art history and conservation from NYU and is a Fellow of four international conservation organizations. She has authored a book on Cuban nightlife and co-curated major art exhibits.
Christina Varvi
President and Co-Chief Conservator
Specialist in architectural conservation with an MS from Columbia University. She leads projects west of the Mississippi and has lectured at the Getty Conservation Institute on outdoor sculpture preservation.
Nelson Hallonquist
Director of Operations
Bilingual conservator with expertise in metal treatments and patination. Certified in aerial lift operation and Jahn mortar installation, with 8 years of experience managing conservation projects.
Caroline Dickensheets
Miami Managing Conservator
Specializes in oolitic limestone conservation and subtropical marine environment preservation. Holds an MS from the University of Pennsylvania and has presented at national conferences on historic structure conservation.
Elena Bowen
Associate Conservator
Manages public sculpture collections at major universities and private clients. Experienced in treating works by renowned artists including Fernando Botero and Yayoi Kusama, with fieldwork in Peru and Greece.
Questions
What types of conservation services do you offer?
We provide conservation treatment, collection surveys, insurance evaluations, architectural services, and public art commission reviews for cultural heritage objects and structures.
Which geographic regions do you serve?
We work throughout the United States, Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean, with specialized expertise in tropical, marine, and desert climate preservation.
Do you handle emergency conservation needs?
Yes, we offer emergency services including salvage of fire-damaged collections, graffiti removal, and stabilization of earthquake-damaged historic murals.
What materials do you specialize in conserving?
Our expertise covers over 50 materials including bronze, marble, mosaic, painted surfaces, and modern materials like neon and kinetic components.
Are your conservators professionally accredited?
Our team includes Fellows of the American Institute for Conservation and certified professionals with advanced degrees from international conservation programs.
Can you work with international preservation standards?
We adhere to the Code of Ethics of the American Institute for Conservation and international charters including UNESCO and ICCROM guidelines.
