Sonya Sehgal is an emerging conservation professional and graduate student, pursuing a Master of Science in Historic Preservation at the University of Texas. She is the first recipient of the Theodore Prudon Education Fund Grant, and we recently spoke with her about receiving the grant and how she plans to utilize the funding to further her educational pursuits.

 

Thanks for chatting Sonya! We look forward to catching up on the other side of your project.

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Q: Sonya, it's great to meet you. Congratulations on receiving the Theodore Prudon Education Fund Grant! Can you tell us a bit about yourself? 
 

A: Thank you! And yes! I am an emerging artist, craft scholar, and preservationist interested in documenting and recording the often-overlooked contributions women have made to the built environment. Currently I am a student at the University of Texas, pursuing my masters in Historic Preservation with a focus on materials conservation--specifically glazed tiles and architectural ceramics. Further I have been making my own ceramics since 2020! Along with my academic pursuits, I work at the YWCA of Greater Austin teaching young students about the importance of cultural identity and community development and am currently doing consultancy work for Humanities Texas. 

 

Q: What subject are you researching for your thesis? 

A: My studies focus on materials conservation. My thesis project focuses on the assessment and treatment of historic tiles at the Ethel Wilson Harris House in San Antonio, Texas. 

Q: Very cool! We'd love to hear more about Ethel Wilson Harris. Why did you choose to focus on her work? 

A: Ethel Wilson Harris was a prolific 20th-century potter and conservationist. Her work integrated traditional Mexican craftsmanship with modernist aesthetics, representing an important yet often overlooked chapter in the history of American tile production.  

Ethel Wilson Harris was a prolific 20th century potter and ceramist in San Antonio, Texas. Harris ran three successful pottery businesses located by Mission San Jose, and she trained a generation of ceramic artists in the San Antonio area. She was the first site manager for Mission San Jose and had begun crafting a vision for the Missions – what is now a UNESCO site. Further she supervised the Works Progress Administration from 1939 to 1941. Under her jurisdiction, she and her staff created several public mosaics and works of art throughout San Antonio. She was recognized by the Texas Legislature for reviving Mexican arts and crafts in San Antonio. Her work would gain national recognition – featured in world fairs in Chicago (1934) and New York (1939). In 1959 she commissioned a Usonian style house, decorated largely by her handmade tiles, that is now on the National Register of Historic Places. She was a founding member of the San Antonio Conservation Society, as well as the first woman park ranger in Texas. Since her death in 1984, there have been several books and exhibitions published to honor her legacy. 

The opportunity to research Ethel Wilson Harris aligns with my goal of advancing conservation practices for historic decorative elements. This project is a vital contribution to the preservation of modern architectural materials, as it aims to establish conservation guidelines for ceramic and mosaic works from the Works Progress Administration (WPA) era – an area with limited existing research. 
 

Q: How did you become interested in material conservation? 

A: My passion for modern material conservation stems from my background as both a ceramist and a preservationist. I began studying ceramic production and glazing in 2020, creating works that have since been exhibited at the Contemporary Museum in Austin. My technical knowledge of ceramic artistry has given me a deep appreciation for historic tilework and its role in modernist architecture and design. 

Q: How do you plan to conduct your research? Can you describe the process?  

A: Sure! I will complete a comprehensive condition assessment of the tiling at the Ethel Wilson Harris House, which was designed in the Usonian style and features handmade tiles crafted by Harris herself. I plan to analyze deterioration patterns and propose conservation treatment guidelines that align with international standards for mosaic and ceramic preservation. These recommendations will not only aid in the restoration of Harris’s home but will also contribute to broader efforts in preserving WPA-era decorative arts and modern architectural heritage.  

Q: What do you hope to achieve at the completion of this project? 

A: Through my coursework, hands-on conservation training, and collaboration with preservation organizations such as the San Antonio Conservation Society and the National Park Service, I am developing the expertise needed to bridge the gap between craft-based knowledge and scientific preservation methods. My career goal is to specialize in the conservation of modern building materials, with a focus on ceramic and masonry elements. It is an essential role and a growing field in the preservation community, and I look forward to contributing, especially as it applies to modernist buildings and the survival of local cultural history.