January 2026

Cathleen Zaret

The Artist:

Cathleen Zaret has an MA in Fashion and Textiles Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice with a Concentration in Conservation from the Fashion Institute of Technology, a BS degree in Textile Design from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, and an AS degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Cathleen is currently an Associate Conservator at the George Washington Museum and The Textile Museum in Washington DC. Before joining The Textile Museum, Cathleen worked as a conservator in private practice contracting with museums and private clients. Her current area of interest is the preparation and display of textiles, especially three-dimensional costume.

Guild Meeting/Program:
A Look into Conservation at the GWU Textile Museum

A look at the field of conservation through the perspective of a conservator at the George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum. Cathy will give an overview of conservation and a brief history of how she entered the field. She will discuss the day-to-day responsibilities, how exhibitions come to be and her role in shaping them. There will be examples of objects that Cathy has prepared or treated for exhibition, along with images of the museum’s galleries and some insight about installation. The presentation concludes with a look at current projects underway for a 2026 exhibition.

Date/Time: January 10, 2026 10:30 AM (following Guild meeting)

Location: St. James Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854