Please join us in congratulating this season’s Sidney S. Williston Memorial Fund Award recipients! In addition to one year of free membership to the Washington Conservation Guild, they receive reduced registration fees for WCG workshops, and reimbursement for one year of membership to the American Institute for Conservation. Anyone is welcome to read about the Williston Memorial Fund to learn more about WCG emerging professionals or to make a contribution.
Katherine Aeschbacher
Katherine Aeschbacher is an emerging museum professional and first-generation college student completing her Anthropology degree at UC Berkeley. She has collaborated with the National Park Service, Museo Egizio in Turin, and currently interns at the National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Latino Museum Studies Program. Her interests center on conservation, restoration, and ethical collections care, with a focus on textiles, furniture, ceramics, paper, jewelry, and other significant materials.
Grace Harling
Grace Harling is an emerging conservation professional with a deep commitment to sustainability, cultural stewardship, and community history. She earned her BA in Art History with minors in Studio Art and Counseling Education from the University of South Carolina, where she was recognized with multiple awards for excellence in research and academic achievement. She also holds an MS in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University, where she explored the intersection of material culture and preservation through coursework in Book Arts.
She has three years of professional experience in public and legal libraries, including at the Law Library of Congress. There, she contributed to collections care, congressional book services, and the rehousing of vulnerable materials. Her volunteer efforts include digitizing fragile historical records at a local church, an experience that shaped her dedication to accessible preservation.
She is currently enrolled in “Conservation Science Tutorials” and will begin “Chemistry for Conservators” in January 2026 in preparation for applying to Paper Conservation master’s programs in Fall 2027. She has engaged with professionals at the Library of Congress and is eager to learn in community with others through the Washington Conservation Guild.
With a strong foundation in art, science, and research, she believes in preserving not only the physical record but the stories, traditions, and identities they represent. Her interests lie particularly in the documentation and protection of cultural heritage under threat, especially in conflict zones.
Colleen Vick
Colleen Vick is a 2024 graduate from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Biology, and a current conservation pre-program intern with the National Museum of American History (NMAH). Colleen was also appointed as a summer 2025 intern with NMAH through the Smithsonian Conservation Internship for Broadening Access (CIBA) program, where she gained a comprehensive overview of how a conservator integrates scientific analysis techniques, historical context, and fine art skills to view the continued care and appreciation of cultural items through a holistic lens. She participated in several projects, focusing on the critical considerations of preserving the storytelling ability of an object and ensuring its longevity so it can continue telling stories for generations to come. She is continuing her work at NMAH this fall, and hopes to continue spreading awareness and appreciation for art conservation and the integral work of conservators in making historical and cultural truth accessible to all.
