Colors of the French Quarter
Helm Paint has been working for nearly a year with Benjamin Moore and VCC Foundation to come up with a fun way to approach paint in the French Quarter. After a lot of effort and discussion, the Colors of the French Quarter special paint color collection has been created. This collection will give you a place to start when it comes to selecting paint colors for your French Quarter home, but it is no way comprehensive.
Free Two-Part Virtual Quarterly Care Workshop
Join us for a FREE two-part virtual Quarterly Care Workshop. These lectures will focus on exterior paint in the Vieux Carré Historic District. Learn about the history of color in the neighborhood, appropriate colors for structures and eras, paint types, current paint options, and the permitting process.
Session 1
Wednesday, March 30, 2022 • 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This session will focus on the perspective of the property owner or caretaker and include: a brief chromachronology of the Vieux Carré, paint types and options you have at the store, and the permitting and paint selection process for your structure. There will be an opportunity to ask question at the end of this session.
Check out the recording of Session 1 on our YouTube channel HERE.
Session 2
Thursday, April 7, 2022 • 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
This session will focus on the perspective of design professional – this is also useful for homeowners and caretakers as the one that selects the design professionals working in the neighborhood. Include is a brief chromachronology of the Vieux Carré, paint types and options you have at the store, and we will reveal the collection! Unfortunately, there will be no opportunity for a Q&A, so make sure to attend the first one as well! Learn more about registration – HERE.
Meet the Experts
Michael Shoriak
Mr. Shoriak co-founded Cypress Building Conservation where he oversees materials conservation and all construction projects. He also currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Tulane University, teaching the Building Conservation Studio and Preservation Technology course within the School of Architecture. A native of Gonzales, LA, Mr. Shoriak earned a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania School of Design where he received the Charles E. Peterson Award for excellence in the study of historic building technology. He also holds a MA in Public History from Temple University and a BA in History from Louisiana State University with minors in Art History and Philosophy. Mr. Shoriak has worked in the construction industry for over fifteen years. Prior to co-founding Cypress, he worked for the Architectural Conservation Laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania, implementing a rapid conditions assessment technique for Native American structures now used by Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Parks. As an archivist at the University of Pennsylvania Architectural Archives, he processed the archival collections of designers such as Venturi, Scott Brown, Ian McHarg and Edmund Bacon. Mr. Shoriak meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications Standards for History and
Historic Preservation.
Joseph Helm
Mr. Helm is the General Manager of Helm Paint & Decorating, Inc. Helm Paint is a second generation family business which opened its doors in 1970. A native New Orleanian, he earned his M.B.A. from the University of New Orleans. He has been working in the business since he was 13, helping Helm Paint serve our historic districts and the Greater New Orleans Area for over 50 years.
Renee Bourgogne
Dr. Bourgogne is the Deputy Director of the Vieux Carré Commission. She is originally from the Lafayette area, but moved to New Orleans in the mid-1990s to get her Bachelor’s degree in History from Loyola University. Dr. Bourgogne furthered her education at the University of New Orleans where she received a Master’s degree in History. During Hurricane Katrina, she was the Curator of Education for Hermann-Grima and Gallier Historic Houses. This experience inspired her to earn a Masters of Preservation Studies from Tulane University. Following her field work with tomb restoration, she returned to the University of New Orleans for a Master’s of Science in Urban Studies and a PhD in Urban Studies with a concentration in Urban History. Dr. Bourgogne has worked at the Commission since 2015, where she has served as the Senior Architectural Historian. She also provides adjunct services to the University of New Orleans in the preservation certificate program whenever necessary. She is a happy resident of the French Quarter.
Andrea Magno
Ms. Magno is the Director of Color Marketing and Development at Benjamin Moore. As part of the Color Marketing & Development team, Ms. Magno plays an integral role in the development of color tools, and color and design research that further positions Benjamin Moore as a color and product leader for both professionals and consumers. During her tenure at Benjamin Moore, she has been intimately involved in various aspects of color, interior design and the paint industry. She has played a key role in the development and advancement of designer and architect-focused events, educational programs and trend research. Ms. Magno serves as a reference on color and design inspiration for a variety of publications, including Apartment Therapy, Better Homes, Chicago Tribune, Country Living, Durability & Design, Family Circle, HGTV Magazine, Refinery29, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and more.
The Quarterly Care Workshop series is designed to provide hands-on demonstrations and resources to property owners and caretakers about the nuts-and-bolts of architectural preservation. Maintenance is preservation – and proper maintenance will protect historic structures from untimely deterioration.This workshop series is part of a multi-tiered education initiative that will teach people of all ages and backgrounds about the value of the French Quarter’s architecture and proper stewardship of their historic structures through compliance with the Vieux Carré Design Guidelines. Our goal is to raise awareness of the French Quarter’s cultural, economic, and historical value, as well as to concretely educate people about the nuts-and-bolts of architectural preservation by way of demonstrations and resources to French Quarter stakeholders that directly yield value to the district’s distinctive character.
