The Society of Gilders is looking for experienced sign guilders to help with ongoing restoration work in historic churches in New Orleans that were affected by hurricane Katrina. Master gold leaf guilder Francis Lestingi posts the following open letter of invitation:

“Our brothers and sisters of the Society of Gilders (www.societyofgilders.org) once again are extending an invitation to members of the sign industry who are proficient in the art of gold leafing to join them this year in their pro bono community project in New Orleans. During the week of April 15, 2012, we will be returning to the Crescent City to continue restoration work on historic churches that were affected by Katrina.

“These remarkable 19th century edifices, which are on the National Registry of Historic Buildings, were undergoing restoration when Katrina hit.  The subsequent structural damage repairs diverted all aesthetic funding and caused restoration to be terminated. That is when the Society of Gilders volunteered to continue the restoration as a pro bono community project. But, the reclamation of these exceptionally beautiful European-designed and -decorated churches is far from complete, even to this day.

“If you are an experienced gilder and wish to spend some time with other professionals doing something elegant and rewarding, come to New Orleans in mid-April. Whether for a day or two or the entire week, this will be a golden opportunity for you to do something altruistic for a community that is in need of your talent.

“Can you join us in the Community Project? Your compensation will be the satisfaction of having generously done something for others that was aesthetic and elegant.”

To learn more details, contact Francis Lestingi via email: .