Education and Work

Winterthur / University of Delaware

Winterthur / University of Delaware Program In Art Conservation (WUDPAC), Art Conservation, M.S.

National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Graduate Fellow

WINTERTHUR, DE

Class of 2026

• Second-year objects major ongoing treatment and research projects:

  • Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) Chinese archaeological camel

    • Reassembly, loss compensation, cleaning

  • 19th c. Bornean sword and sheath

    • Technical analysis, art historical research, corrosion reduction, basketry fills

  • 19th c. Chinese export lacquered nesting table

    • Surface cleaning with hydrogel system, structural repair

  • 19th c. European ceramic pipe

    • Structural repair

  • 20th c. Papua New Guinean breast ornament

    • Basketry reshaping, enamel stabilization, plant material consolidation

• Outreach project as a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Graduate Fellow

  • Values-based decision-making tool for the sustainable management of heirloom objects

Messiah College

MECHANICSBURG, PA

Chemistry, B.A. and Studio Art Minor

Class of 2019

Magna Cum Laude, College Honors Program

Honors Thesis: “An Exploration of the Complexities of Contemporary Art Conservation”

Objects Conservation Graduate Summer Intern

SAint Louis Art Museum, Saint Louis, MO

JUNE – AUGUST 2024

• Conducted the examination, documentation, and treatment of a Rom mask from Vanuatu. 

• Collaborated with the marketing department to create public-facing media centered on the conservation decision-making process. 

• Video: “Rom Mask Conservation” 

• Co-authored blog post with Brenna Coleman: “Conservation treatment preserves cultural significance of Vanuatuan mask”

Emerging Museum Professionals COnservation INtern

Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA

SEPTEMBER 2021–JUNE 2023

• Conduct the conservation of objects and paintings, including examination, treatment, and documentation. Select examples of treatments:  

  • 15th century Islamic turban-style iron helmet

  • 18th–19th century Japanese painted ceramic Inari fox sculpture

  • 20th century Bámigbóyè Yoruban wooden Epa equestrian mask

  • 1939 Kenneth Calahan tempera on canvas painting

• Hone the department’s collective understanding of new instruments and materials (e.g., SEM and agarose pH measurement) by experimenting with them and developing guides 

• Support an inclusive reimagination of the American Art Galleries by advocating for diverse voices as a community advisory group member 

• Increase public awareness of conservation and the importance of diversity through public-facing videos, interviews, and tours

• Video feature by the Seattle Art Museum: “Building A Better Tomorrow: Caitlyn Fong on the Necessity for Diversity in Conserving American Art”

• Interview by the Northwest Asian Weekly: “SAM American galleries get a makeover to include non-white art”

ART PREPARATOR

LAGUNA ART MUSEUM, LAGUNA BEACH, CA

JANUARY–DECEMBER 2020

• Installed and de-installed exhibitions with work from the permanent collection and loaned pieces from private collectors, artists, and other museums

• Documented art for cataloging purposes from the museum’s collection of over 3,000 items

• Packaged artwork securely for storage and relocation

• Safely transported art to and from offsite locations within LA, Orange, and San Diego Counties

Laboratory Technician, Extractions Lead

Sunstar Laboratories, Lake forest CA

AUGUST–DECEMBER 2019

• Supervised the extractions department for an environmental testing laboratory

• Conducted extractions procedures according to standardized EPA methods

CONSERVATION STUDIO ASSISTANT

JOHNSON & GRIFFITHS STUDIO, HARRISBURG PA

JUNE–AUGUST 2018

• Contributed to the historical restoration work in the Pennsylvania State Capitol North Office Building

• Conducted woodworking, painting, and specialized cleaning tasks under supervision of conservators

• Assisted with the annual hot bronzing treatment of outdoor metal sculptures and fixtures

Sexuality and gender education student leader

messiah college, Mechanicsburg PA

AUGUST 2017–MAY 2019

• Fostered an inclusive environment that bridges diverse opinions about gender and sexuality by organizing events and facilitating discussions

• Coordinated campus-wide initiatives by liaising with the university administration and student government association

• Increased public awareness of events and resources by designing publicity and educational material

GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN

TANDEMIC, KUALA LUMPUR

JULY–AUGUST 2016

• Contributed to the creation of a platform that brought together 950+ stakeholders from 28 Asian-Pacific countries to promote children’s rights

• Created designs for the logo, handbook, website, and marketing assets using UNICEF brand guidelines

VOLUNTEER WORK

AIC Emerging Conservator Professional Network (ECPN) Seattle Co-Liaison (July 2022–Present)

FAIC Oral History Project Interviewer (June–December 2020)

IIC Congress Digital Engagement Volunteer (November 2020)

Oakes Museum Docent (September 2015–May 2019)

Messiah University Multicultural Council Graphic Designer (January 2016–May 2019)

Office of Intercultural Affairs International and Missionary Student Peer Advisor Mentor (June 2018–June 2019)