Diane Tafilowski has worked as a treatment conservator at the studio since 1996. Her areas of specialization include advanced flattening and cleaning techniques applied to 20th century gelatin silver photographs.
Ms. Tafilowski attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she studied automotive and product design. She changed her course of study in her senior year after seeing the Diego Rivera murals Detroit Institute of Art undergo conservation treatment. Aware of the possibility of a career in art conservation, Ms. Tafilowski graduated cum laude in 1990 with a B.F.A. as well a s fulfilling the science requirements for admission to graduate-level art conservation programs.
Ms. Tafilowski undertook a pre-program internship at the Rocky Mountain Conservation Center, in Denver. The one-year program consisted of a rotation through each department in the laboratory, with extra emphasis in a particular area of conservation specialization.
The newly hired paper and photographic materials conservator, Paul Messier, proved to be a kind, patient mentor with an interest in, and aptitude for, teaching. With this auspicious beginning, Ms. Tafilowski developed an interest in photographic conservation.
For the next two years, Ms. Tafilowski continued working in Denver at RMCC as a conservation technician examining and treating works of art on paper and photographs. She also worked periodically at the Denver Art Museum. Work there included mount making, art handling and installation, design, matting and framing. In the fall of 1994, Ms. Tafilowski was accepted into the art conservation graduate program at Buffalo State College.