Laser Ablation Workshop

This continuing education opportunity is offered to historic preservation practitioners in conjunction with the Weitzman School's HPSV 7390 Masonry Seminar, taught by Roy Ingraffia and Casey Weisdock.

There are limited spots available for non-students/practitioners. Tickets cost $350.

Priority registration for Historic Preservation alumni will begin Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Registration will open to general public on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Registration will close on Wednesday October 22 at 9am.

Full-day workshop on the use of Nd:YAG laser systems to clean architectural materials. Includes a lecture on how laser cleaning works and descriptions of both low frequency (fixed optic) and high frequency (scanning optic) systems. This will be followed by a short practicum where students can test both types of system on sample materials. (Micro-Abrasion info) 

Adam Jenkins is a conservator of sculpture and decorative arts based in Philadelphia.  He works on diverse projects for large institutions and individual stakeholders in the region including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Franklin Institute, the Delaware Art Museum, and several large private collections in Philadelphia and New York.  He is specializes  in LASER cleaning technology and research and their contributions to the field of conservation. This expertise has led to his involvement with several projects in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., as well as the opportunity to provide LASER training to conservation professionals.    

Adam received his MS in Art Conservation from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation in 2002, with an objects specialization. In the five years following, he served as Project Conservator before completing a three-year Mellon Fellowship in Objects Conservation at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. While working in the objects conservation lab at the PMA, Adam developed his interest in monumental sculpture beginning with the de-installation, treatment and reinstallation of Atmosphere and Environment XII, a COR-TEN steel sculpture by Louise Nevelson.   

Adam lectures annually on mount-making for the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation, and on the Conservation Treatment of Metals for the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Historic Preservation,. Adam also lectures frequently on LASER cleaning. He is a former member of the board of the Philadelphia Area Conservation Association (PACA) and is a Professional Associate in the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC). 

If you require any accessibility accommodation, such as live captioning, audio description, or a sign language interpreter, please email news@design.upenn.edu. Please note, we require at least five (5) business days’ notice.