Principal conservators Debra May and Rachel Burch have worked together since 2006 as May Painting Conservation, Inc., formalizing their partnership as May & Burch Conservation, Inc. in 2017. In our practice, we are committed to a high standard of professional excellence, not only in terms of visual result, but also in terms of ethical treatment approach, notably as outlined in the AIC’s Code of Ethics and the Guidelines for Practice and The Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Our goal is to determine the best and most conservative course of action for the stability and long-term preservation of the work of art, with a mind toward the reversibility of treatment whenever possible. We strive to maintain the highest standards of excellence, using current best practices in the field and by keeping up to date with scholarship and research in our fields of expertise.

Our Practice

May & Burch Conservation provides hands-on conservation treatment of wall paintings, murals, and historic painted architectural finishes, on a variety of materials and substrates. In addition to treatments, we undertake condition assessments, conservation planning, maintenance planning, art historical and materials research, architectural paint investigations, and paint analysis. We consciously maintain a ‘boutique’ business model that allows us to directly control the quality of our work, and allow ourselves the personal professional satisfaction of hands-on participation. One or both of the Partners are always present on site to manage the work process, adding in trusted team members depending on the demands of the project. We further endeavor to maintain best practice by participation in conferences, workshop and other training experiences, and membership of national and international conservation organizations.

Our Clients

Our firm has designed and implemented numerous large and complex conservation projects for public and private entities, including the City and County of Los Angeles; the City and County of San Francisco; The State of California; Mission San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, CA; Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, CA; University of California Los Angeles; Architectural Resources Group Conservation Services, San Francisco; and Archer School for Girls, Los Angeles. We routinely work with artists, architects, curators, framers, fine-art shippers, and museum staff in the planning and implementation of conservation projects. We also enjoy taking on smaller projects, as well as limited pro bono work in our local communities.