ABOUT

About US
Guardian preserves and protects the tangible assets of our clients.

Our services include secure storage, transportation, packing & crating, installation, collection management, appraisals, and more. These comprehensive services are also available a la carte and you don't need to store with Guardian to use our fine art services.

Our new facility in the Chicago-Milwaukee metropolitan region uses state-of-the-art technologies,
including three essential features:
  • Environmental-controlled temperature, humidity, and atmospheric particulates, at museum standards
  • UL© [Underwriters Laboratories] certified security system that is monitored 24x7, dry-pipe fire suppression system, standby electric generator.
  • Trained, experienced, trusted and insured staff following best practices of art handling and collection management
  • CHUBB Preferred Service Provider for Fine Art Storage and Fine Art Services

​All of this makes Guardian one of the most highly effective art storage facilities in North America, as well as one of the most efficient and economic.   

our Mission
Our mission is to protect and preserve the tangible assets of our private clients, families, estates, museums, and corporations. Above all, we respect the confidence and privacy of our clients.

our Vision
In collaboration with others, we will be known as an institution that continually improves preservation practices, based on efficacy and efficiency.  We will do this for our clients and our community.

BUILDING HISTORY
The 1635 building was constructed in 1924 by the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company. Located in the Menomonee Valley, this building was a smaller version of the company’s headquarter building located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company manufactured plumbing, heating, and cooling parts and over time merged with other companies. The building was eventually sold to Geuder, Paeschke & Frey, a tinware manufacturer, who operated several buildings in the Menomonee Valley. In recent years, the building was used for storage. It was purchased in 2015 by John Shannon to not only be the site of Guardian Fine Art Services, but also the site of Warehouse Art Museum (WAM).

Shannon purpose-renovated the Guardian building for secure storage with strict environmental controls.  The brick and ferrous concrete construction makes it ideal for secure storage. Guardian is Wisconsin's only fine art storage facility and is a CHUBB Insurance Service Provider for Fine Art Storage and Transportation.

OUR TEAM

ADMINISTRATION
Managing Director |  John Shannon
Chief Financial Officer |  Patrick Mattern
Chief Operations Officer |  Katie L. Steffan
Logistics & Project Manager |  Nikita Werner

Project Assistant | Ella Anderson
Appraiser & Private Client Advisor | Christine Anderson, ISA
Preparator |  David Mueller
Preparator | Nicholas Pipho
Associate Registrar | Leonard Cicero
Facility Manager | John Voith