E. A. Hayes Studio

E. A. Hayes Studio Religious statue repair and church restoration throughout the United States.

Here we present a project in conjunction with the Polish Institute of Culture and Research.Historical restorations have ...
02/18/2026

Here we present a project in conjunction with the Polish Institute of Culture and Research.

Historical restorations have very different priorities than restorations focused solely on the pastoral and mystical goods of an image. Here we worked to effect the restoration without altering the historicity of the piece. With emphasis on reversibility, non-invasiveness, and conservation we were able to return the image to its original appearance without destroying its historical value.

We look forward to collaborating further with the Institute in the historical conservation and paint analysis of their extensive archives.


Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor whom approached the church, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Howell Michigan wa...
02/17/2026

Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor whom approached the church, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Howell Michigan was able to restore their antique Holy Infant image.

Look how much more serene he seems now. Without the sallow skin, heavy eyeshadow and lipstick that chained the image to the tumultuous 60's when their current building was erected, the image is much more pastorally useful toward the mystical representation the Holy Infant represents.

Targeted donations toward sacred art are the easiest and most effective way for the faithful to ensure their churches become and stay beautiful. If you want your church to be more beautiful, you know who to call.

02/16/2026

Ethan's masterwork in Florence was this globus cruciger for the hand of a Christ image, such as a Holy Infant. The globe itself weighed over 1,000 carats in genuine lapis lazuli, the central gem, a beautiful natural garnet.

The studio's great work has been to elevate the sacral arts in such ways by precise application of aesthetic principles in accordance with the wisdom of Holy Mother Church. This can be effectuated foremost by the use of precious stones, full application of God's providence,in modern materials, and aggressive research into the traditional techniques of the Old Masters.

We refurbished this simple altar set for Livingston County Catholic Charities for their new facility's day chapel comple...
02/11/2026

We refurbished this simple altar set for Livingston County Catholic Charities for their new facility's day chapel complete with a matching ambo and seating.

The challenge in the project really was making something noble and fitting for the chapel using the very dated material we were given. But with our experience with refinishing products as well as appliques and brass gilding finishes, by collaborating with the facility's secular interior designer, we were able to make something suitable for the design of their building.

As a training exercise, one of our new apprentices, Olivia, painted this Jesus bust independently. She is settling into...
02/10/2026

As a training exercise, one of our new apprentices, Olivia, painted this Jesus bust independently. She is settling into her own on the application of hair textures, something we have been looking quite positively upon. How do you think she is doing?

This crucifix was salvaged from a cathedral in Wisconsin and made it's way to the studio for heavy restoration work. Af...
02/09/2026

This crucifix was salvaged from a cathedral in Wisconsin and made it's way to the studio for heavy restoration work. After consolidating the damage through numerous arm and torso repairs we managed to get the stability to a place were we could start thinking about what the new final appearance of the image should be.

The carved wood inset panels of the cross itself are quite rare and valuable, so we decided to allow the image to be shaped from this aspect. In the end we found a dark yet vibrant scheme with minimal blood that served the image well.

Often respecting the original image is the key to ensuring the new aesthetic is successful. Fighting the image always ends with a lack of harmony, something which are inherently un-beautiful. When an image is in accordance with its end, synthetic in itself, and pointed towards its own virtues, it can in turn point towards God.

02/07/2026

The Provost of Holy Spirit College explores why modern church buildings miss the mark in beauty

When statuary gets damaged, the situation can look pretty dire. Amateur fixes are often free, but you often get what yo...
02/05/2026

When statuary gets damaged, the situation can look pretty dire. Amateur fixes are often free, but you often get what you pay for, and nobody wants those kinds of bad feelings in the parish.

Would you set your own child's broken arm in a makeshift cast if you couldn't afford to go to a doctor?

Fortunately for us, these kinds of fixes are just routine and sometimes can even be enacted on site. With professional products, proven techniques, and years of experience we know how to return things back to *exactly* perfect. Often in the case of mass produced retail-grade church goods, we can actually bring a statue to a higher level of workmanship than when it was brand new.

The studio stays busy at work. We were working on this image seven years ago! The lively waves and deep symbolism still...
02/04/2026

The studio stays busy at work. We were working on this image seven years ago!

The lively waves and deep symbolism still make it one of our favorites. Do any of our followers know what the Greek phrase on the sail which is common on icons means?

Even with limited resources you can make beautiful things. Here you can see the The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cat...
02/03/2026

Even with limited resources you can make beautiful things. Here you can see the The Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Intermuros Manila from Ethan's visit to the archipelago last September. The stonework here is excellent but this was produced not only against financial limitations inherent to the country but in a climate that constantly brings earthquakes, typhoons and accompanying floods making architectural problems much more complex.

This is the eighth reiteration of the church, the current having been built so late as 1958, prior structures having been destroyed multiple times by earthquakes and war!

Back in Michigan we enjoy relatively peaceful weather (aside for the occasional blizzard) and much greater financial abilities to glorify the God. What sorts of beautiful things would we still be building if Americans had the devotion of the Philippine people?

We produced this St. Joseph and Holy Child from scratch way back when everything was green this summer. When designing ...
02/02/2026

We produced this St. Joseph and Holy Child from scratch way back when everything was green this summer.

When designing statuary for an existing church you can't always just throw the generic colors for a saint on hoping for the best. It takes a little science to know what something will look in a church before it is actually produced. In this case we knew the statue is going to be placed against a dull brown brick backing, so we knew that a brighter brown and duller green with a heavily shaded white tunic will be great.

Without the experience and knowledge to predict these things, it is foolish to assume that a given statue will look beautiful in a church. Everything is interconnected and effecting its parts. Outside of guaranteeing high quality workmanship, this the greatest reason why aquiring fitting church fixtures is hard. Just because something looks a certain way in a photo doesnt mean it will look the same way (whether good or bad) in YOUR church.

It is said that the beginning of all arts is in drawing.Before we execute a work, whether a large church restoration or ...
01/29/2026

It is said that the beginning of all arts is in drawing.

Before we execute a work, whether a large church restoration or just a gilded trim technique like on this Mater Dolorosa here, we often have drawn it out multiple times to ensure the aesthetics we derived from first principles are enactable, pleasing, and practical. Without drawing, ideas stay in your head until it is too late to amend. Art is the practice of producing a beautiful thing, so if it is not producible or even articulable it is no art at all.

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Howell, MI

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm

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E. A. Hayes Studio

Professional religious statue restoration in Southeast Michigan. With a small team of employees, devoted to producing the highest quality services for the beautification of churches and homes.

A contractor for Michigan Church Supply.