RESTORING THE GLORY!

The team of Project 2017 went through a lengthy process to choose our painting contractor.  Starting over a year ago, 3 different liturgical design companies were interviewed.  They each came and looked at the church, proposed ideas, and gave bids on their work.  It was a very close case between two of the companies, but in the end Conrad Schmitt Studios Inc.of New Berlin, Wisconsin was chosen to be the lead contractor for Project 2017.

This family owned company has been doing architectural art for over a century.   Specializing in decorative painting and restoration of sacred spaces, their resume of projects is extensive.  It includes cathedrals, churches, theatres, government buildings, and other public places.  They do work locally as well as all over the country; some of their projects include the interior restorations of the Basilica of St. Josaphat  in Milwaukee and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.  You can view their website to see more of their work here: http://www.conradschmitt.com/

The Conrad Schmitt Studio in New Berlin--Photo credit Tom Knoll

In addition to doing decorative painting and stenciling,  Conrad Schmitt studios designs and restores stained glass, mosaics, murals, sculptures, and church statuary.  They will be examining, restoring, and adding some color to the SFDS Stations of the Cross, our Mary and Joseph statues, and our Jesus on the Crucifix.  All of these are at the studio now being worked on and will be re-installed in time for Holy Week.

One of the artists working on our Stations of the Cross

In late October some of the Project 2017 team members were able to go to New Berlin to see the artists in action.  We were looking at some of the proposed stencil designs and took a tour of the studio. We feel very fortunate that the President of the Conrad Schmitt Studio, Gunar Gruenke, is our project director.  He and another family member/manager, Courtney Alvarez, are wonderful to work with and have spent a lot of time attending meetings with us and re-working designs to our satisfaction.  They have also been very helpful to us in finding other specialty contractors and coordinating the worker's calendar as the general contractor.  It's a challenge to have Project 2017 completed in this timeline, but so far we are on schedule!  Your prayers are working!

Project 2017 Team Members Laura Zappitelli and Ken Etten view designs with Gunar.