Our Team
about our team
Our team offers a wide range of specialties enabling collaborative projects blending an array of perspectives. Below is a list of our core conservation team, however we regularly work with other specialized conservators, mount makers, registrars, fabricators, masons, art handlers, riggers, and other allied professionals. CV’s and individual project lists available upon request.
Anna Weiss-Pfau, AIC-PA | Principal Conservator
Anna serves as Principal and Conservator of Objects and Sculpture, and is a peer reviewed Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation. She earned her degrees in Conservation and Art History at Queen’s University in Kingston Ontario and Bradley University. Prior to re-joining Liparini Studio and forming Third Coast Conservation, LLC, Anna worked for the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and The National Museum of the American Indian, The American Museum of Natural History in New York, on excavations in Italy and Greece for several Universities, and for the Smart Museum at the University of Chicago. In addition to conservation, Anna holds substantial training in Emergency Preparedness and Response.
Dorota Bobek | Associate Conservator
Dorota Bobek serves as Associate Conservator, specializing in the conservation of painted surfaces, although she has extensive experience in many areas of conservation, including outdoor sculpture, frescoes, and murals. She began her career at the Archidiocesan Museum and at the Sima Art Conservation Studio in Krakow Poland, and worked at the Chicago Conservation Center after moving to Chicago. Dorota has worked with Liparini Studio since 2009. Dorota speaks Polish, English, German, and Persian. She received her education at the Technical School for Conservation in Zakopane, Poland and the Institute for Oriental Studies in Krakow, Poland.
Kaitlyn Wright | Objects Conservator
Kaitlyn Wright serves as Conservator of Objects, with particular interests in archaeological artifacts, ceramics, painted surfaces, and composite objects. Prior to moving to Chicago, she was the Andrew W. Mellon Advanced Fellow in Objects Conservation at the Carlos Museum of Emory University, treating Greek, Roman, and Egyptian objects for exhibition. She collaborated on technical studies with PhD candidates in Art History and researched the technology of ancient gilded surfaces. She received her Masters in Art Conservation specializing in objects from SUNY Buffalo State College, completing internships at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Athenian Agora Excavations, and the Institute for Aegean Prehistory - Study Center East Crete. Kaitlyn earned her BA in Art History with a minor in German Language and Literature from the George Washington University.
Maria Paras | Conservator of Frames & Gilded Surfaces
Maria Paras serves as Conservator of Frames. She earned her BFA in Paintings and Drawings at the Art Institute of Chicago (1988). Maria apprenticed with Rick Strilky Fine Art Restoration and was mentored by highly trained painting conservators. She continued on working as full-time sub-contractor for RSFAR as frame conservator and painting conservation technician for 25 years. Thereafter Maria went off on her own as Independent Contractor; mostly doing frame conservation for private clients and other private practice painting conservators and institutions. Concurrently she has been a part of the Litas-Liparini Restoration Studio for 20 years on various object conservation projects. Maria is a member and the webmaster for the Chicago Area Conservation Guild, a member of the American Institute of Conservation and the Society of Gilders.
Inez Litas | Senior Conservator
Inez serves as Senior Conservator of Paintings and Objects, and also owned Liparini Studio since 1998. She earned her degrees in conservation and museology in the Czech Republic at the National Museum and the Moravian Museum, subsequently working at the Silesian Museum, prior to moving to the United States. Inez practiced for several private practices here, before becoming the second owner of Liparini Studio. She has been active in the conservation community in Chicago for many years, serving as co-chair of the Chicago Area Conservation Group and mentoring countless students and emerging professionals.
Jane Foley, IIC - ACR | Senior Conservator
In Loving Memory. Please see her Obituary in the Chicago Sun Times here: Jane Foley Obituary
Jane served as Senior Conservator of Monumental Objects and Sculpture, and was an accredited conservator/restorer through the International Institute of Conservation (ICON UK). Jane earned her degrees in Conservation and Heritage Management at The City and Guilds of London Art School and Birmingham University. Jane served as Senior Conservator in Stone, Wall Paintings, and Mosaics at the British Museum, and has held posts in Kuwait and Turkey. Jane had extensive experience in teaching both in lectures and in the field, and also operated our allied conservation practice Foley Conservation in the UK.