Artistic License (AL), a group of skilled professional artisans dedicated to historic architectural restoration and newly-interpreted period design, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a fundraising gala, The Artisans’ Ball, on Dec. 8 in San Francisco. The event will benefit the Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theater restoration and community programs.

Working in the tradition of historic artisan guilds, AL members provide a wide range of services and products from architectural design and building restoration to period furnishings and fine finishes. They are architects, designers, contractors, woodworkers, and specialists in period tile, ornamental plaster, painting, stained glass, and other aspects of restoration and period revival design.

Buckter

Notable members include: color consultant Bob Buckter, designer and author Paul Duchscherer, furniture maker and designer Debey Zito, author Jane Powell, muralist Lynne Rutter, metal and lighting fabricator Peter Morenstein and historical art wallpaper designer Steve Bauer of Bradbury and Bradbury.

Rynerson and Duchscherer's restoration of Mcdonald Mansion

Over the last thirty years members of AL have been advocates for period design and for the value and potential of historic buildings. A recent member collaboration was on the restoration of “Mabelton,” the McDonald Mansion in Santa Rosa.

Restoration was headed by architect Steve Rynerson of Rynerson O'Brien, with Paul Duchscherer as the historian/interior designer, wallpaper came from Bradbury and Bradbury, decorative painting was done by George Shadow, stained glass work came from Theodore Ellison and textiles from Dianne Ayres.

The gala will celebrate these members, their projects and the long-lasting wish to preserve historic architecture. Tax-deductible tickets can be purchased, and donations made, here.