Published Articles
Conrad Schmitt Studios has been the author and/or subject of hundreds of articles through the years. A sampling of important stories relating to stained glass, decorative painting, conservation and restoration has been collected here for the benefit of those visiting our site.
Decorative Painting
A Beaux Arts Treasure: French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick, IN — Restoration of French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick, IN; Published in PaintPRO, Vol. 9, No. 4 - July/August 2007
A Spa Town Is Reborn After Decades of Decline — Article about the restoration of French Lick Springs and Resort Casino and West Baden Springs Hotel; Published in PALM BEACH LIFE/DECEMBER 2007
After the Fire — Restoration of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Indianapolis, IN after their devastating fire; Published in "Indiana Preservationist" magazine
Artists restore historic church — A renovation project at the downtown Vancouver landmark has restored century-old artwork and maybe even saved some parts of the historic building.; Published in The Seattle Times
Beauty Restored to Historic Church — Restoration of Saint Francis Xavier in Vincennes – the Oldest Parish in the Indiana Territory; Published in ADOREMUS BULLETIN VOL. XV NO. 3 – May 2009
Building and Renovation — A guide: For church building, renovation, or restoration; Published in "The Catholic Herald" Diocese of Madison newspaper March 18, 2004
Cathedral plans $11M restoration — The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield will close for more than a year, starting this fall, as part of an $11 million restoration and preservation project.; Published in The State Journal Register
Conrad Schmitt Studios Helps Restore Holy Hill — Restoration of Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians.; Published in "Sacred Places" magazine - Summer 2005
Delicate Touch — The Broadmoor Hotel, one of the nation’s premier hotels, retains its five-star status after an ‘invisible’ renovation effort; Published in "Building, Design & Construction" magazine
Heavenly Homecoming — How St. James Catholic Church met its maker and found a new life.; Published in Painting and Wallcovering Contractor magazine
History in a New Light — Article on the restoration of the Milwaukee County Historical Society; Published in Milwaukee County Historical Society Newsletter
History in a New Light - Phase IV of Restoration Progressing Rapidly — The fourth and final phase of the restoration of the Milwaukee County Historical Center; Published in History in a New Light
Holy Hill, In A New Light — Restoration of the Basilica of Holy Hill, National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians, Hubertus, WI; Published in "Exclusively Yours" magazine
Learning from the Baths — Renovation of the Milwaukee Road Depot in Minneapolis, MN; Published in "Traditional Building" magazine
Marking milestones — OUR LADY OF LOURDES PARISH CELEBRATES 50 YEARS, WHILE HOLY FAMILY DEDICATES RENOVATED SANCTUARY; Published in Columbus Newspaper
Masterwork — Article on the complete interior restoration by Conrad Schmitt Studios for the 1826 St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; Published in Indiana Preservationist - November/December 2008
OBJETS D’ART — Insuring and Restoring Treasures Can Be Tricky; Published in Claims Magazine - Published 7/7/2009
Original Ambiance — Article on the Restoration of The French Lick Springs Hotel; Published in Traditional Building
Parish Mourns its Treasures — Church slated to close worries what will become of art; Published in "Boston Sunday Globe"
Pfister Hotel - The Renovation — The Pfister Hotel, restoration in 1993 by Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc.; Published in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sunday May 2, 1993
Preparing for the Worst - How to Protect Your Church Valuables — An article regarding becoming knowledgeable about protecting your valuables and properly insuring your church; Published in Ministry & Liturgy
Protecting Your Church Treasures — An informative article regarding the value of your church treasures and proper evaluation for replacement.; Published in Church and Worship Technology - February 2009
Protecting Your Decorative Investment — Article on the church restoration from archived information after a devastating fire, and the importance of having your historic treasures documented and insured.; Published in JANUARY 2009 – Religious Product News
Regilding the Dome — Regilding the dome at the campus of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana; Published in Notre Dame Magazine
Rejecting Modernism — Article about the new French Romanesque-style St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Farragut, TN; Published in Traditional Building Magazine DECEMBER 2008
Renovation work at St. Mary Magdalen — Renovation work at St. Mary Magdalen, new murals and Stained Glass windows installed; Published in The Abbeville Meridional, August 2nd 2009
Restoring Glory to a Faded Shrine — Friars work to raise $5.7 million to undo years of wear and tear at historic Holy Hill; Published in "Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel" News from Ozaukee and Washington Counties
Restoring the Eighth Wonder of the World — Restoration of the West Baden Springs Hotel; Published in "Traditional Building" magazine July/August 2001
Restoring the Pabst - the rebirth of a splendid theater — The rebirth of a splendid theater, the restoration of the Pabst Theater by Conrad Schmitt Studios; Published in The Milwaukee Journal - September 19, 1976
Restoring the Spirit for St. James Catholic Church — Restoration of St. James Church in Louisville, Kentucky; Published in Religious Product News
Returning the Grandeur to the Historic American Theatre — Article on Theatre Restoration, Historic Research, Historic Finishes Analysis, Conditions Survey, Exposure, Design and Color Analysis, Media and Compatibility Analysis and The Decorative Sample,; Published in "inLeague" newsletter of the League of Historic American Theatres
Saving the Ceiling — Restoration is underway to secure and restore the giant 19th century murals of St. Louis Cathedral; Published in "Times Picayune"
Scagliola: Beautiful Faker — Article on the fabulous fakes – a hand-crafted imitation marble known as scagliola; Published in Painting and Wallcovering Contractors magazine
St. James Catholic Church A RENEWED SPIRIT — Renovation of St. James Catholic Church, Vancouver, WA - Artists, craftspeople finish restoring a historic Vancouver church; Published in The Columbian
The Pfister’s Lobby Lounge: Grand Again — Article on the renovation and ceiling mural for the Pfister’s lobby lounge; Published in Milwaukee Magazine March 1993
Three Months Notice — Inside the Newly Restored Palace Theatre, Albany, NY; Published in "Stage Directions" magazine
Walter Library: A Treasure Restored — Renovation of the Walter Library, University of Minnesota’s high-tech library campus landmark; Published in "Inventing Tomorrow" magazine
Wrapped in Gold — Gilding the dome at the Old Capital building, University of Iowa - Published in "M magazine"; Published in "M magazine"
Historic Articles from the 1930's
Protecting Church Decorations — The House of God should be a permanent structure, and likewise its decoration should be everlasting. How to preserve such interior decoration is discussed in this article.; Published in Reprinted from Church Property Administration September 1938
The Al Secco Method of Mural Painting — Conrad Schmitt is best known for his part in the revival of the medieval mural treatment known as al secco - "Church Property Administration" magazine, 1937; Published in "Church Property Administration" magazine, 1937
Stained Glass
A Passion for Art — Article on Bernard O. Gruenke of Conrad Schmitt Studios; Published in "Stained Glass Quarterly " magazine
A Window to Sustainability — Art Glass’s Place in a greener World; Published in SGAA Stained Glass Quarterly
Abbeville church gets heavenly restoration — ABBEVILLE — Article on the stained glass conservation and new murals being installed - The Parishioners at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church wouldn’t recognize the sanctuary these days.; Published in The Daily Advertiser, Abbeville
Bringing Back the Grandeur — Article on the stained glass and decorative painting work of Conrad Schmitt Studios; Published in "Wisconsin", the Milwaukee Journal Magazine
Choose Wisely Among Stained Glass Restoration Methods — Restoring-in-place versus full conservation or restoration methods; Published in "Church Executive" Magazine
Conservation and Restoration of Historically Significant Stained Glass and Leaded Glass Windows — Article on the Conservation and Restoration of Historically Significant Stained Glass and Leaded Glass Windows; Published in "Stained Glass Quarterly" Magazine
DeLand stained glass winters in Wisconsin — Article about the restoration of stained Glass windows of St. Barnabas, DeLand, Florida; Published in Episcopalian - January 2008 Vol. 110, No. 1
Outfitting the Sanctuary — Stained Glass, Transcending the Ordinary - Highlighting the steps of bringing stained glass windows to fruition.; Published in "Religious Products News" magazine
Restoring Stained Glass Windows Keeps Company Busy — Conrad Schmitt Studios helps pioneer conservation methods; Published in a special section on Building and Renovation of "The Catholic Herald" the Milwaukee Diocese newspaper
Resurrecting History — Grace Episcopal restores a famed and beloved window; Published in "Wisconsin State Journal " newspaper
Saving a Stained-Glass Treasure — Special Report - Window Repair/Conservation of John La Farge’s 1885 "Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth" for Old Stone Church, Cleveland, Ohio; Published in "Traditional Building" magazine
Seabees Construct Stained Glass Windows in Iraq — Seabees Construct Stained Glass Windows in Iraq; Published in "Stained Glass Quarterly" Magazine
SGAA President’s Award Honors the Smith Museum — Article on the presentation to E.B. and Maureen Smith and Rolf Archilles of the SGAA’s President’s Award; Published in SGAA Stained Glass Quarterly
SGAA President’s Letter - Sourcebook 2009 — Gunar Gruenke’s President’s Message to the Stained Glass Association of America; Published in SGAA Stained Glass Quarterly 2009
SGAA President’s Letter: The Oakland Summer Conference - Kaleidoscope — Letter to the Stained Glass Association of America members regarding the 99th Annual Conference in Oakland, CA; Published in SGAA Sourcebook Fall 2007
SGAA President’s Message - Partnership in History — Message to the Stained Glass Association of America highlighting quotes of Gunar’s grandfather, Bernie O. Gruenke Senior.; Published in SGAA Stained Glass Quarterly, Spring 2009
SGAA President’s Message - Thank You - Partnership in History — Parting President’s Message to the Stained Glass Association of America; Published in SGAA Stained Glass Quarterly SUMMER 2009
SGAA President’s Message - This Conference Was Huge — Message to SGAA members about the success of the Oakland conference; Published in SGAA Stained Glass Quarterly - FALL 2008
SGAA President’s Message: Giving Thanks This Holiday Season — A thankful message at a reflective time of the year.; Published in SGAA Stained Glass Quarterly - Winter 2008
SGAA President’s Message: Innovation and the Challenge — Inspirational message to SGAA members encouraging innovation with a core focus of “Seize the moment; make it happen,” and a core objective of: to better serve the members and improve the value of membership.; Published in SGAA Stained Glass Quarterly Winter 2007
SGAA President’s Message: The Future of the Association — Message to SGAA members about growth in membership, shared visions and fundraising.; Published in SGAA Stained Glass Quarterly - Fall 2007
The Studio, The People
Master Plan: The Design of the Church — Article on Bernard O. Gruenke of Conrad Schmitt Studios; Published in "Celebrating Our Jubilee", brochure for St. John Vianney Parish
New Berlin Company Weathers Economic Storm — Historic preservation, stained glass company one of the biggest in the U.S.; Published in business section of the "Waukesha Freeman" newspaper