Founded in 1904 the Watts Gallery offers a unique insight into the life and work of ‘England’s Michelangelo’ George Frederic Watts and the designer and artist Mary Watts.
The Radcliffe Trust awarded the Watts Gallery Trust a three year grant towards the salary of the Conservation Fellow, Sally Marriott, enabling the postholder to continue supporting the development and practice of skills, knowledge and experience in the heritage sector by conserving oil paintings in the permanent Watts collection and those on loan for exhibitions as well as furthering the Trust’s aim to provide ‘Art for All’ by delivering talks and demonstrations. Sally is also responsible for training and mentoring a conservation graduate intern.
Without the grant the future of the role of Curatorial Fellow would have been in doubt.
Sally continually seeks opportunities to carry out talks and practical conservation treatments within the gallery spaces, which in turn provides an invaluable and unique offer for visitors, to experience and appreciate art from an alternative, scientific viewpoint. Her knowledge of technical art history, scientific analysis of works of art and the materials and techniques of G F Watts is fascinating to all visitors and learning groups.
Sally remains passionate about supporting young career professionals, school age-children and young adults to be inspired towards a career in the sciences, arts and conservation, regularly making time to discuss education opportunities and experience with them wherever possible.