Image Source: Spectrumnews1 - Reporter: Anthony Dabruzzi |
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Canning’s portfolio of state capitols and civic buildings alike continues to grow in 2023, stemming from past project experiences like the United States Capitol, Iowa, Kansas, Virginia, and Rhode Island. John Canning & Co. is honored to have worked on a total of six state capitols in 2023 - Connecticut, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. A notable mention, four of the six state capitols worked on in 2023 have received National Historic Landmark recognition by the National Register of Historic Places - Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. With the holiday season upon us, explore some of Canning’s decorative painting and finishes expertise in – gilding, marbleizing, woodgraining, plastering, and illusionistic painting - performed on these United States State Capitols.
Our firm has historically been called on by the Connecticut State Capitol for various restoration, conservation, and preservation work such as wood restoration, ornamental plaster restoration, trompe l’oeil, gilding, and transparent color glazing. In 2023, Canning was called to restore areas of decorative painting and stenciling within the two atriums below the central skylight, which developed from chronic water damage affecting the historical appearance within the state capitol. The Michigan State Capitol - one of the first state capitols to be topped with a lofty, cast-iron dome, internally displays nine acres of decorative fine art respectfully dedicated to Civil War Veterans. This year, John Canning & Co. has been tasked with decorative painting restoration, conservation cleaning, stenciling, gilding, and plaster repair within the rotunda. Transitioning to some of our firm’s other project services, Canning used traditional methods when performing aniline dye stain and varnish application, polishing and refinishing of all brass hardware, and dutchman repairs to restore 50 Pennsylvania State Capitol Senate desks to original mahogany color finish. Aniline dyes not only enhance the wood color but allow for the woodgrain pattern to remain clear. The West Virginia State Capitol commissioned our firm to create eight new murals – four large lunettes of historically cultured state scenes and four pendentives of classic allegorical themes illustrating law and education – to complete a 90-year-old vision designed by original Architect Cass Gilbert. Lastly, John Canning & Co. returned to the Wisconsin State Capitol this year after having performed an assessment of finishes for delaminating decorative paint within the rotunda’s coffered ceiling panels in 2022. Looking to the rotunda, this project focused on art conservation, decorative paint conservation, and plaster restoration. The scope of work included the removal of ambered varnish using a strappo varnish removal technique from a total of 64 ceiling panels, revealing the original color palette beneath. For more details on these and other 2023 featured projects, read our 2023 Retrospective blog.
As Canning continues to provide restoration, preservation, and conservation services for US State Capitols, our artisans stay true to only working with traditional materials and paint. Decorative painting and finishes have been around from the very early ages in various forms. The origins of decorative painting and finishes in historic interiors can be traced back 4,000 years when cultures used different patterns and designs as a means of communication and self-expression. Today, this type of decoration has become a way for people to add visual excitement and a cohesive design element to a room by embellishing surfaces with a unique texture or finish. Typically, the use of decorative painting and finishes in historic interiors can be found on ceiling or walls, creating patterns of designs to mimic wallpaper, adding borders to accent a space, to adding dimension or elements of interest to a room. Through restoration, preservation, and conservation methods, John Canning & Co. is able to breathe life back into any historic building.
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Latest Articles & Announcements |
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Types of Paint Failure Found in Historic Buildings |
Paint surface conditions can range in severity due to common factors like time, light exposure, and high moisture content. Condition effects can result in the following seven paint failures found in historical buildings: peeling, crazing, cracking / alligatoring, blistering, chalking, and staining
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| Different Types of Art Damage |
Canning conservators encounter a range of art damage when conducting historic art restoration. These damages can range in severity, which determines the unique conservation and restoration method used. Although art damage can manifest in many ways, the six major types we see most often are craquelure, flaking, water damage, abrasion, UV damage, and physical damage.
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Dive deeper into the above-mentioned State Capitol projects Canning has worked on - reflecting on the historic, monumental, and highly significant architecture projects taken on each year and the award recognitions gained for our craftsmanship. In 2023, Canning project highlights include national landmarks, state capitols, and institutions. While the works Canning has completed this year have spanned from one to multiple years in completion, the level of craftsmanship and professionalism stand the test of time, establishing continued opportunities and professional relationships in the restoration, preservation, and conservation of historic architecture industry. While we could not include all of our 2023 projects, this article looks at some of John Canning & Co.’s project highlights.
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Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1992, the Michigan State Capitol is one of the first state capitols to be topped with a lofty, cast-iron dome. Inside, the magnificent rotunda and nine acres of decorative fine arts give homage to Civil War Veterans. John Canning & Co. has been tasked with decorative painting restoration and conservation within the rotunda. Follow our work through the link below. The Michigan State Capitol has provided a website for all information and updates of the inner dome restoration project as Canning crew members work the fine details.
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| Happy Birthday Month to Architect Ralph Adams Cram.
Discover FIVE of the architectural treasures and buildings designed by Architect Ralph Adams Cram, each with its own significance. Known best for designing in the gothic revival architectural style, he designed many types of buildings including residences, libraries, academic buildings, churches, and religious buildings. Today, his work is carried on by Cram & Ferguson Architects.
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Interested in Seeing More of Our Work? Follow Us On TikTok! |
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When performed well, gilding has the power to signify beauty, richness, greatness; elevating minds and hearts to ponder nobility and divinity. Gilding is a beautiful decorative technique of applying a thin layer of metal called leaf to a surface to give the appearance of solid gold, silver, or any other desired metal. Oppositely, gold colored paint application involves a water-based solution that has proven overtime to lack in quality longevity when compared to gold leaf.
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We understand the importance in sharing our expertise and knowledge in our field. Besides the monthly newsletter and blogs we post, we also develop and share downloadable resources to help guide you in your conservation, preservation and restoration projects. Check out the Resources page and see if any of the resources can help answer some of your questions and provide a better understanding of some of the intricacies in the preservation field.
Check out our Featured Downloadable Resource below.
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John Canning & Company released a total of seven new resource guides in 2023 covering topics including stone, wood, gilding, and plaster for industry leaders to digest and instill into their own practices. While the John Canning & Co. name is well known, the importance of educating the next generation of artisans, conservators, and craftspeople is crucial to the preservation, restoration, and conservation of history. Discover our complete list of resource guides released available here.
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Wishing Everyone a Blessed and Joyful Holiday Season. |
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As a national nonprofit preservation organization, the National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America's historic places and is a great resource for anyone looking to learn more or get involved. |
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The American Institute for Conservation and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation work together to promote the preservation and protection of cultural heritage. Partner with us to further that mission. |
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JOIN THE CONVERSATION #PerfectingPreservation #jcanningcrew |
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