The John Canning & Co. was the restoration consultant and specialty contractor for the historic Stadium Theatre decoration and finishes. This included coordinating all work and trades for the restoration of the ornate and vibrant Adamesque style interior.

BUILDING FACTS

Location: Woonsocket, RI
Built: 1926
Architect: Perry & Whipple
Style: Adamesque
Status: Historic National Landmark

SCOPE

Stadium Theatre
Stadium Theatre
Stadium Theatre
Stadium Theatre

John Canning & Co. was the restoration consultant and specialty contractor for the decoration restoration of Stadium Theatre. This included coordinating all work and trades for the restoration of the Adamesque style interior. 

Starting with a beige interior devoid of decoration and crumbling ornamental plaster, our historic research, mechanical exposures, scientific analysis, and interpretation revealed a densely decorated interior with figurative murals and opulent compositions of floral abstracts, flourishes, medallions, and swags painted in vibrant jewel tones and pastels offset with architectural gilding. The original decoration was recreated, and a new mural was created for the foyer replicating the original artist's figurative style.

Execution of mural was part of the restoration of the Adamesque style interior.  The firm uncovered original designs and recreated each pattern, motif, and portrait using artists’ oils. All plaster was stabilized, consolidated, and repaired, and the proscenium was re-gilded.


AWARD

2002 State Historic Preservation Award, Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

This is one of the projects discussed in this video of some of the Theatre projects John Canning & Co. has worked on.