University of Illinois Facilities & Services - Conservation of the Alma Mater

On Tuesday, August 7, 2012, The Alma Mater was removed from her granite pedestal and transported to The Conservation of Sculpture & Objects Studio (CSOS) in Forest Park, Illinois for conservation. Due to years of deterioration, it was determined parts of the sculpture needed to be disassembled and all corroded bolts and fasteners removed and replaced.
This required intricate disassembly in some parts of the sculpture, while in other sections, the bolts are accessible without disassembly. Access to all surfaces of the sculpture, both interior and exterior, are necessary to clean and remove corrosion and oxidation residues.
The conservation work will be completed in spring 2014 and the Alma Mater returned to campus in time for Commencement. Planning for the return of the Alma Mater is underway.

This video features an interview with CSOS Director and lead conservator on the Alma Mater sculpture Andrzej Dajnowski.

For more images, video, and interview material on the conservation of the Alma
Mater see http://uofi.box.com/almamater