Art restoration is one couple's livelihood and passion

Intermountain Catholic

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Diego Gomez of Firenzi Art and Restoration and Art Gifts show some pieces that he has restored.IC photo/Laura Vallejo

MIDVALE — Since 1996, when Diego and Carolina Gomez arrived in Utah from Hidalgo, Mexico, Firenzi Art Restoration and Art Gifts has established a reputation for fine craftsmanship.

The Gomezes, parishioners at Saint John the Baptist, have become experts in the craft of invisible repairs, restoring damaged collectibles to their original condition. They work with all kinds of materials, including ivory, porcelain, jade and marble.

"I studied architecture, focusing on restoration," Diego Gomez said. "Carolina didn’t work because she was taking care of our three daughters."

After a time, the couple decided to take advantage of Carolina’s skills as an accountant and they began to work as a team in the business.

"We had other people helping us, but our clients started asking us that nobody else except Carolina and me work on their pieces," Diego said.

The before and after appearance of the pieces that the Gomezes repair and restore is amazing. For example, the remaining pieces of a sculpture that fell and broke can be reassembled and restored so that it appears to be in its original condition.

One of their biggest challenges is that they never know what piece the people will bring to them. Once they received a doll that was more than 200 years old. On other occasions they have received pieces worth thousands of dollars.

"Some days ago we received a crucifix which is more than 400 years old," Diego said. "The owner told us it came from Peru. We are restoring it because it has a broken finger here, and a nail is missing in this hand plus it has some scratches. The owner told us that he thinks the crucifix was brought to America by the Spaniards and it was passing through generation after generation until it arrived in his hands. The curious thing is that he and his family are LDS."

Every piece that they receive has its own history. For example, one that touched them deeply was a portrait from the Nazi Germany era.

"The owner loves it very much," said Diego. "She told us she was in a concentration camp in Germany. When the war was over, and when they were going to be released, she overheard that the soldiers were going to keep some women to send them as slaves to Russia. She and her friend escaped from it, but when she arrived at her home she discovered everything was destroyed. Among the dust and the remains of her house she saw a frame on the floor, which she picked up. It was the image that her mother had hand sewn and next to it was her mother’s wedding ring. Both pieces traveled with her to America."

"The frame was very damaged but the image was in good condition," said Carolina.

The Gomezes have also undertaken some restoration work at Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Orem, Saint Therese of the Jesus Child Parish in Midvale, and Juan Diego Catholic High School.

The only problem they have faced is that some people do not realize the importance and value of some pieces and just let them deteriorate.

"The majority of the pieces are irreplaceable," said Diego. "With very little money people can keep the beauty and value of the pieces."