Historic Decorative Stenciling Workshop

Current Historic Preservation students, along with SAIC program alumni and faculty joined a group of historic preservation practitioners for a half-day, hands-on workshop on historic stenciling.  The workshop was sponsored by the Association for Preservation Technology Western Great Lakes Chapter and was held at the Conrad Schmitt Studios in New Berlin, Wisconsin.  Conrad Schmitt Studios, founded in 1889, is a national leader in decorative arts conservation, design and installation. 

The workshop included a lecture on historic stencil typology, documentation and restoration techniques, case studies, and a hands-on demonstration.  One of the highlights was a studio tour showing art glass restoration, re-caming, lead-safe practices, paint on glass techniques, murals and decorative object conservation.  Attendees also learned how twenty-first century methods like digital photogrammetry, computer image enhancement and CNC laser cutting can be deployed for stencil fabrication.