WRITTEN BY MARKETING INTERN MELODY GAMBER
Jeremiah Brzoska and his team create beautiful weathered works of art, making him and his company, Artistic Finishes of North Florida, a well-known name among home builders. With an artist’s eye and mastery over the ancient technique of Venetian plaster finishing, Brzoska and his company turned the Cummer Museum’s Reinhold Courtyard into a unique piece of art. Artistic Finishes of North Florida and Brzoska graciously donated a great deal of the cost of the project.
Brzoska works with Venetian plaster, incorporating natural pigments. Also called limewash or lime plaster, Venetian plaster is made by mixing fired limestone and water until it becomes the consistency of putty. The plaster is off-white in color, and pigments are added to achieve a variety of natural tones. Once dry, the limestone resumes its grainy, porous texture. The effect is an earthy, aged finish. For the Museum’s courtyard, Brzoska combined five hues that fit together seamlessly, while making sure the piece blends in with the history of the Museum.
Venetian plaster has its roots in ancient Greece and Egypt. It is a classic treatment with the ability to endure the elements. Additionally, limestone is a hypoallergenic material. Because of its high pH level, it is impossible for microbes to thrive within its many nooks and crannies. Limewash finishes are perfect for those who would like to add a rustic or antiqued quality to their décor.
During your next visit to the Museum, take a moment to appreciate how elegantly Brzoska’s work blends in with the courtyard’s aged elements. But remember—a Venetian plastered wall never reveals its age.
