OUR MISSION

Artistic License is a nonprofit guild dedicated to preserving and advancing traditional craftsmanship in the building arts.

SEE THE WORK WE DO

As a collective of independent artisans and designers, we are committed to the preservation, restoration, and celebration of historic tradecraft while upholding the highest standards in period-appropriate design and techniques. We unite skilled professionals across diverse disciplines, fostering a community built on knowledge-sharing and mentorship.

Our members restore historical works and create original pieces that draw inspiration from historical techniques and aesthetics, bringing timeless craftsmanship into contemporary contexts.

Through public outreach, hands-on workshops, and educational initiatives, Artistic License promotes awareness of time-honored building techniques. Together, we work to safeguard the Bay Area’s architectural treasures, ensuring they endure for generations to come.

Committed to preserving the architectural heritage of the San Francisco Bay Area

For over 40 years, Artistic License has championed the artistry and expertise needed to keep architectural heritage relevant. We believe restoration is more than preserving the past—it’s about sustaining craftsmanship for generations to come.

The members of Artistic License work to restore and preserve historic structures and bring traditional techniques into contemporary projects

OUR MEMBERS

Our members work from Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, and Beyond

For skilled restoration work or period-appropriate new design, guild members are committed artisans and expert designers, who can help bring your vision to life. You can find our members’ work all over the U.S.
OUR SPECIALTIES

Photo taken of the guild during its 30th anniversary year on the staircase of the Thorsen House in Berkeley, California. Members in the photo include (from left to right and back to front) Theodore Ellison, Paul Duchscherer, Bob Buckter, George Zaffle, Phil Diers, Stephen Rynerson, Terry Schmitt, Debey Zito, Steven Vigeant, Dianne Ayres, Adrian Card, Timothy Hansen, Scott Wynn, Jane Powell, Janet Starr, Christopher Yerke, Lynne Rutter, Michelle Nelson, Riley Doty, Erik Kramvik, Allen Dragge, Robert Dufort, Lorna Kollmeyer, and Skeeter Jones. Photo by George Shadow.

OUR HISTORY

Artistic License began as an idea in 1982 …

When Jim Gibson, an artisan who specialized in wood refinishing for old buildings, met painting contractor Bruce Nelson, whose painting firm Local Color, specialized in painting and restoring wooden Victorian homes. Jim shared his vision for “Artistic License, a Guild of Restoration Artisans” as a way of bringing together experts in the burgeoning field of Victorian house restoration. By the end of 1982, a fledgling group of like-minded artisans had already met several times. The group’s energies were directed to sharing skills and information among members at monthly meetings, and towards educating the public about the importance of quality restoration work. Early public outreach took the form of a series of lectures, each showcasing a various member’s particular expertise. Such presentations became the format by which prospective members were approved for admission to “the Guild.”

Other events which introduced Artistic License to the public included the group’s presence at various local fairs and preservation conferences. Feature stories on individual members and about the group in general began to appear with increasing frequency in both local and national newspapers and periodicals.

Artistic License today largely retains the focus and activities of its beginnings over forty years ago. The group has evolved from an exclusively Victorian orientation to one that includes a broader definition of period design. The same high standards of quality in preservation, restoration and renovation work that fueled the group’s beginnings continue to inspire the members of Artistic License now.

Our Members
Our Specialities
Guild Resources