Gregory Dale Smith, PhD, Otto N. Frenzel III Senior Conservation Scientist
Dr. Smith previously served as the Andrew W. Mellon Assistant Professor of Conservation Science at SUNY Buffalo State College, one of only three graduate programs for comprehensive art conservation training in the United States. He holds a Ph.D. in physical/analytical chemistry from Duke University and has completed postdoctoral research at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York, and University College London.
Smith’s research interests include studying condition issues affecting modern polymers used in art, pigment degradation processes, preservation environments, and the development and testing of innovative conservation treatments. He also has performed archaeological fieldwork in Galilee, Israel, serving as field chemist and supervisor on two excavations.
Smith has authored numerous articles for journals in the fields of chemistry and conservation, and is an avid speaker on the interface between the Arts and the Sciences. For these efforts he was recognized in 2018 with the national award for Conservation Advocacy from the American Institute for Conservation (AIC). He is a Professional Associate of the (AIC), associate editor for the Institute's professional journal, and an executive board member of the local section of the American Chemical Society.
Frederick Wallace, Chief Conservator
Fred Wallace has a nearly 30 year-long career in art conservation. Before coming to Indianapolis, Wallace held the position of Chief Conservator at both the Cincinnati Art Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio (2001-2004) and The Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, Virginia (2010-2016).
More recently, in 2017, Wallace established Infinity Art Conservation Enterprises (IACE), a full-time conservation private practice based in Hampton, Virginia. As Director of IACE, he provided high caliber conservation services to various institutions, corporate entities and private individuals throughout the southeast region of the state. Wallace holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, and a Master's degree from the Art Conservation Program of the State University of New York College at Buffalo.
At the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, Wallace oversees the administration of the Conservation Department and supports its staff in its mission to conserve, preserve and research the museum’s collection and establish standards within the museum that meet or exceed national and international codes of ethics and care. In his role, Wallace advises on all conservation projects spanning all mediums of the collection.