"[Graphic Conservation’s] reputation is such that the State of Illinois has twice selected Graphic Conservation to work on their copy of ‘The Gettysburg Address.’ The company is sensitive to both the materials they work on and the clients who bring them in. I would categorically state that theirs is the top paper conservation firm in the country."
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About Us
Situated in Historic Oak Park, Illinois. Our collection of specialized tools and equipment enables us to treat paper items suffering from many different types of damage. In our lab, we are able to treat works on paper of any size, from miniature ephemera to oversize artwork. With an extensive library of antique papers and boards, our company also has the unique ability to match repairs when appropriate.
Our Leaders
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Christina Marusich
Head Conservator
Christina is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation [AIC] and an acting member of the Chicago Area Conservation Group. Christina joined the company in 1987 while completing her B.F.A. in Printmaking and Painting from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Christina’s background includes fine arts as well as chemistry.
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Brian Kapernekas
Conservator
Brian is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for Conservation [AIC]. Brian joined the company in 2018. Brian has received his B.F.A. in Painting and Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and his M.F.A. in Studio Arts from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Brian’s background includes Contemporary Art.
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Scott Dietrich
Conservation Services Specialist
Scott has more than 20 years of experience in and around the fields of conservation, collections, and archives management. He possesses a broad knowledge of preservation framing and excels in designing custom displays for a wide array of media from works on paper to three-dimensional objects. Scott has extensive experience with digital imaging and provides valuable resources to help clients with their digitization and imaging projects. He joined the company in 2024 and is enthusiastic about expanding our preservation framing and digitization capabilities. Approximately one million years ago (give or take a few years), Scott earned his B.F.A. from the University of Arizona and his M.F.A. from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
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Sasha Perez
Manager of Client Services
Sasha is a seasoned creative professional with a background in nurturing small creative businesses. She is passionate about delivering exceptional client experiences, drawing from her many years in the fine arts industry. She received her B.F.A. at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with a focus in printmaking and painting. Sasha remains an active member in the printmaking community in Chicago, both as an artist and collector. Joining Graphic Conservation Company in 2024, she is dedicated to ensuring that each project receives the care and attention it deserves.
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Francine Mancuso
Conservation Technician
Francine joined Graphic Conservation Company in January 2023. She received her BA in Art Conservation with a minor in Art History from the University of Delaware. She is an apprentice conservator who has assisted several historical societies and institutions with various conservation projects and looks forward to continuing her career in the field of conservation. As a conservation technician, Francine supports conservators with treatment and assists with digitization and museum quality preservation services.
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Lianna Bolivar
Social Media Intern
Lianna joined Graphic Conservation Company in January 2022. She is currently an Informatics student at Indiana University. She has a passion for art and computer science. Lianna has developed her own impressive social media following and joined Graphic Conservation in order to expand her knowledge of Photoshop and digital imaging. As a social media intern, Lianna creates a wide variety of content for our social media platforms.
Lab Tour
Our History
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1921
RR Donnelley & Sons Company and president T.E. Donnelley form the Extra Bindery Department under the guidance of C.G. Littell and Reverend James Todd.
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1923
The Extra Bindery Department begins advertising its services in "The Lakeside News," the company magazine. Well-known bookbinder Alfred de Sauty comes from England to manage the Department.
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1925
"Extra Binding at the Lakeside Press" is published, illustrating the department's services and capabilities. Three years later, "A Rod for the Back of the Binder," an important document in the field of specialty binding, is published.
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1935
Mr. de Sauty retires, and Harold Tribolet is appointed manager. As he leaves, Mr. de Sauty emphasizes the importance of engaging in paper restoration and conservation work.
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1954
"All the King's Horses" is published, describing many of the department's interesting projects and offering guidance on the proper care of books and works on paper.
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1964
One of twenty-five known original letterpress copies of the Declaration of Independence is restored along with original prints of the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution
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1966
A 32-page booklet, "The Million Charms of Empress Shotoku" is published, describing many of the department's recent bindings and restoration projects.
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1970
The Extra Bindery Department changes its name to the Graphic Conservation Department, reflecting the increased focus on conservation work.
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1982
RR Donnelley closes the department and its managers William Crusius and Robert Weinberg form a new company dedicated to paper conservation. The Graphic Conservation Department thereby becomes Graphic Conservation Company.
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1995
Graphic Conservation Company performs a series of conservation treatments to one of five copies of the Gettysburg Address.
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2011
Graphic Conservation Company celebrates its 90th anniversary. During this year, the company performs a series of complex conservation treatments on the House Resolution for a Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
