RIHS Inside the Archives: “Restoration of America’s Oldest Theater Backdrop”
When: Thursday, April 7, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Aldrich House (110 Benevolent St., Providence, RI 02906)
Free Series Continues With America’s Oldest Theater Backdrop
Massachusetts Artists to Discuss Five-Year Restoration Process
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island Historical Society continues its free Inside the Archives series on Thursday, April 7, at 5:30 p.m., with a program exploring the five-year process to physically and digitally restore America’s oldest theater backdrop which depicts Providence.
Digital artist Lydia Gyurina and photographer and giclée printer Steve Gyurina will detail the unique process they used to create a fully restored digital reproduction of the early-1800s backdrop using multi-image capture and digital retouching, as well as the contributions of Matthew Andrade, who artfully retouched prints made from the digitally restored files by hand-painting trees, water and architectural details that could not easily be retouched digitally.
The program will be held in the ballroom of the Aldrich House, where guests are invited to admire the original theater curtain, as well as prints from the various stages of the restoration process.
Free tickets are available at
Steve and Lydia Gyurina are a father-daughter duo working in Stoneham, Massachusetts, at Artopia Giclée, a digital fine art capture, archival print, and custom frame studio.
Steve has photographed thousands of artworks during the past 35 years for artists, museums, galleries, art dealers and individuals.
Lydia joined Artopia as a studio assistant in September 2020 after graduating with a degree in animation and video from Virginia Commonwealth University.
At the studio, she helps to photograph and retouch documents and artworks, and manage client projects, while also freelancing in animation and design.
Inside the Archives is a part of the Rhode Island Historical Society’s Bicentennial Celebrations, sponsored by Amica Insurance.
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state’s oldest and only statewide historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting and sharing Rhode Island’s past to enrich the present and inspire the future.
Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st-century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest.
As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center and the Aldrich House.
The headquarters of the Rhode Island Historical Society are located at 110 Benevolent St., Providence, RI 02906. Information: (401) 331-8575. Website: rihs.org. Follow the RIHS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.