This project was built and designed by Tom from Alley Picked.
Tom restores a plaster relief of the Chicago Theatre that arrived battered, dirty, and missing part of its marquee, and he documents the techniques and decisions used to return the piece to a display-ready condition.
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Design and Historical Context
The relief is a limited plaster cast by local sculptor Zani (Alice) Jacobson that celebrates Chicago architecture and the iconic theatre marquee.
Because the original was carved in wax, molded in latex, and hand-painted, the cast retained fine surface detail that guided the restoration choices and dictated materials that would respect the original look.
Assessment and Prep
Initial inspection revealed a detached marquee, multiple chips, old failed glue, and decades of grime that hid delicate details.
A tag on the back provided provenance and a reminder that careful restoration keeps the artist’s intent and collectible value intact.
Structural Repairs
Tom separated misaligned glued parts using a conservative approach and then bonded the pieces with a clear two-part epoxy for strength where needed.
For small voids and chipped areas he favored an epoxy putty over plain plaster because it could be sculpted quickly and held up during sanding and paint matching.
Surface Restoration and Paintwork
Cleaning started with compressed air and a mild soap solution applied with a soft brush to remove surface dirt without abrading fragile areas.
Touch-up paintwork focused on thin, layered applications to blend repairs into the original patina rather than repainting the entire surface, acknowledging that subtlety preserves character.
Finishing and Remounting
To restore a natural sheen without masking texture, Tom applied a thin coat of a beeswax-based finish and buffed it back for a restrained glow.
Reattaching the marquee used shortened bolts as internal posts and a temporary non-hardening clay barrier to prevent epoxy from seeping through during curing.
Lessons and Takeaways
This project shows how research, patience, and modest experimentation can enable successful conservation even when tackling a new material or technique.
The restoration balanced structural repairs with delicate surface work to maintain the sculpture’s age and story while returning it to a displayable state.
Conclusion
The restored relief now reads clearly as a piece of Chicago history, demonstrating that careful preservation keeps local artistry in circulation for collectors and the public alike.
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