Artisan Restoration International specializes in the preservation and historic conservation of architectural surfaces, sculptures, and furniture in metal, wood, and stone. From exotic wood interiors to antique fixtures to garden structures, the experts at ARI restore an object’s life and beauty back to its original grandeur. In a small artist's village in Israel in 1975 Richard Byrne, a metalsmith specializing in bronze, and Donna Zarbin-Byrne, a fine artist, first met and forged their artistic partnership. The combination of their unique talents, extraordinary technical skill, and aesthetic sensibility invigorates the studio to this day. Byrne’s and Zarbin-Byrne’s broad range of skills makes them uniquely versatile; equipped to handle the restoration of a delicate family heirloom just as well as the fabrication of site-specific public sculptures. Owners and managers of luxury resorts, commercial properties, and fine homes have trusted ARI with their restoration, maintenance, and specialty finish projects. ARI is a preferred vendor for the Fairmont & Accorhotels. With exceptional quality and attention to detail, ARI can restore, protect, and renew a building’s status and artistic integrity with minimal disruption. We offer consultation services to engineer the best solution for your restoration and maintenance needs. In addition to handling commercial properties, ARI caters to independent clients who are looking to restore a valued sculpture, antique, or treasured heirloom. By combining old world craftsmanship with modern techniques, ARI is equipped to repair functional or decorative objects, restore damaged art, or rejuvenate weathered outdoor installations. ARI’s expansive knowledge and resource base within their industry enables them to offer a broad range of services. To find out more, visit our services page.

Richard Byrne - Owner/Founder

Richard Byrne began his career in 1978 working at Zaritsky Art Foundry in Kiryat Motzkin, Israel where he worked closely under Holocaust memorial sculptor Nathan Rapoport. Byrne moved to New York to continue to work with Rapoport at the Modern Art Foundry in Long Island and later moved on to the Tallix Foundry in Peekskill. Byrne went on to study all aspects of fine art casting at the Johnson Atelier Technical Institute of Sculpture in New Jersey where he specialized in structures, restoration and patina applications. Byrne was commissioned to work on several notable public sculptures, including Lorado Taft’s monumental sculpture The Blind. In 1989 Byrne moved to Chicago and co-founded Great Lakes Metal Works & Art Studio with his wife, Donna Zarbin-Byrne, which laid the ground for the creation of Artisan Restoration International. He has collaborated with architects, interior designers, and artists on a multitude of projects. He has created and restored a wide range of projects including fine art, architectural elements, and furniture.

Donna Zarbin-Byrne - Owner/Founder

Donna Zarbin-Byrne received her MFA in sculpture with a concentration in ceramics from the University of Texas, San Antonio. She went on to intern at the Modern Art Foundry, focusing on bronze casting. She later worked at the Tallix Foundry while continuing her education at the Johnson Atelier Technical Institute of Sculpture. Since 1989 Zarbin-Byrne has contributed her design, patina, and sculptural talents to Artisan Restoration International/Great Lakes Metal Works & Art Studio. She has created numerous site-specific installations throughout the country. Zarbin-Byrne excels at translating a client's vision into a reality and facilitating that creative process. Zarbin-Byrne has taught at Loyola University in Chicago and held many residencies at the Illinois Arts Council. She served as a Teaching Artist for Art Encounter in Evanston, Illinois. Her work has been exhibited extensively in galleries and museums across the country from New York (The Jewish Museum) to Hawaii (Schaefer International Art Gallery, Maui). She has received numerous public and private commissions including an outdoor sculpture for the city of Evanston, IL and installations for the Moriah Congregation in Deerfield, IL, and the Liquid Packaging Corporation in Wisconsin. Her most recent public sculptures can be seen in San Antonio, TX. Her artwork can be viewed at her website - www.donnazarbinbyrne.com.