Every great museum has its quiet heroes — the skilled hands that keep centuries-old masterpieces glowing for future generations. At the New Orleans Museum of Art, two of those heroes just took center stage: Ingrid Seyb and Nayla Maaruf, the museum’s very first full-time conservators.
For the first time in its 115-year history, NOMA has dedicated, in-house specialists caring for a collection that spans from antiquity to the present day. As full-time staff, Seyb and Maaruf develop an intimate knowledge of every work — repairing centuries-old damage, slowing the natural aging of materials, and gently undoing old restorations so each maker’s original vision can shine again.
Even better news is on the horizon: NOMA is building brand-new conservation labs, set to become the largest and most comprehensive facilities of their kind between Houston and Atlanta. The labs will also open a door for local talent, partnering with New Orleans university programs to launch students into conservation careers.
From the 99 outdoor sculptures of the beloved Besthoff Sculpture Garden to the galleries inside, every corner of the museum benefits from this loving care. The next time you stand before a flawless canvas or a gleaming bronze at NOMA, you’ll know exactly who to thank.
Photo: Casey Dawson / New Orleans Museum of Art
