The Conrad Schmitt Studio Way

What Sets Conrad Schmitt Studios Apart From The Rest

Written by: Conrad Schmitt Studios

FAMILY OWNERSHIP AND CAREER ARTISTS
Founded in 1889, Conrad Schmitt Studios, Inc. is celebrating 136 years in business in 2025, with nearly 8,000 projects completed. The Studio has been owned and operated by the Gruenke family since 1951 and currently operates under third-generation leadership and fourth-generation project management. Our family’s highest priority is to exceed our clients’ expectations. We accomplish this by maintaining a permanent staff of talented and experienced artists, designers, and craftspeople. Currently, CSS employs over eighty full-time career professionals

HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE
Since 1889, old-world techniques and professional integrity have been handed down from generation to generation, imbuing every project with a sense of pride. Existing client relationships date back to the 1920s under the direction of Conrad Schmitt himself. These longstanding partnerships with historic institutions are showcased through the Studio’s involvement with extensive restoration efforts at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, and the Basilica of St. Josephat and St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Oratory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

FULL SERVICE ART STUDIO WITH A HOLISTIC VISION
At CSS, we pride ourselves on offering a variety of decorative skillsets for interior and exterior spaces including design, decorating and painting, stained glass, and historic preservation. Visualizing the architecture as a whole and providing a wide range of art forms allows the Studio to offer a unified and holistic vision. Expertise in both fabrication and restoration allows CSS to be a comprehensive resource for a client’s needs, creating the best projects in terms of function, longevity, and aesthetics. Architectural renderings feature Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Neo-Classical, Mid-Century, and Modern styles for both existing and newly constructed spaces. Glass styles include Traditional, Contemporary, Fused, Tiffany, Patterned, and Painted / Laminated.

St. Anna Catholic Church – Somerset, WI

TEAM APPROACH
A central location in New Berlin, Wisconsin allows CSS employees from every department to work together to create a unified artistic vision with professional integrity. Functioning as a team both in the Studio and on jobsites, CSS works together with committees, architects, general contractors, and other trade professionals to ensure projects run smoothly from the initial design to the final dedication.

FUNDRAISING ASSISTANCE / PROJECT DOCUMENTATION
Customized fundraising materials engage local communities in the early stages of project development. These renderings, on-site samples, promotional boards, and direct-mail literature encourage passion and enthusiasm for every milestone, while offering the necessary tools to establish the foundations for collaborative financial support.

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
In addition to embracing the historic traditions of our forefathers, the Studio employs new technology that increases efficiency yet never supersedes the creativity of the artist. Computer-assisted design and mechanical stencil production allow the Studio to offer even more decorative possibilities. In-house printing and mounting of designs by CSS ensure clients have clean, crisp reproductions on display for the community.

FACILITIES
The Studio facilities are designed to support the creation, restoration and conservation of art. Our 34,000 + square feet of studio space in New Berlin, Wisconsin is configured to accommodate the project at hand in the most efficient manner. The acquisition of our newest building provides added production space to accommodate the production and conservation of even the largest murals.

REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND LONGEVITY IN DESIGN AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
CSS is nationally recognized for our creativity, quality and longevity as evidenced by the long relationships with our clients. Our projects are executed using the finest materials and applied in the best traditions of the craft. Knowledgeable project managers and skilled artists work carefully to maintain historical structures and uphold institutional guidelines for architectural environments in both sacred spaces and civic centers for private and public buildings.