If the conservator is inexperienced, uses inappropriate materials, or cuts corners to reduce costs or save time, the damage can be devastating and often irreparable. When the conserva- tor is highly qualified, sensitive to aesthetic and art historical concerns, and knowledgeable about materials and methods, the results can bring new life to the sculpture. To the novice project manager, the highly specialized field of conservation can be confus- ing. But many novices have established successful working relationships with conservators and, in the process, gained confidence in their ability to understand the complexities of conservation
