The American Antiques Show 2010 Held As A benefit for the American Folk Art Museum

Celebrate the "Best of America" on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at the all-American opening night gala of The American Antiques Show, which will take place January 21-24, 2010, during New York City's Americana Week. Both the opening night preview, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and the following four days will be held at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18 Street, in the lively Chelsea area. The gala provides a key opportunity to preview the folk art, Americana, and decorative arts before they go on public display the next day. This eagerly anticipated show is the major winter fund-raising event for the museum and all proceeds from the opening night, daily show admission, and related activities benefit the museum's exhibition and educational programs.

The American Antiques Show (TAAS) features all-American objects of history, design, imagination, and surprise. It is known for its distinguished roster of all-American dealers who consistently receive accolades for bringing the "Best of America" to the show.

The show will have a dynamic new layout designed by participating dealer Ned Jalbert, one of the world's preeminent American Indian dealers as well as a highly respected interior designer.

Set in an inviting and relaxed atmosphere, the show's 41 dealers will exhibit a broad range of fresh material from the 17th to the 20th centuries that appeals to seasoned and beginning collectors, curators, and interior designers. Noted for the consistently high level of exceptional antiques, this year's show will also feature fine objects that are affordably priced.

The rich mix of Americana and American folk art on view includes handsome 18th century furniture; striking folk paintings; dynamic sculpture (such as decoys, weathervanes, trade signs and show figures, carousel animals, 20th century three-dimensional objects); textiles (schoolgirl needlework, samplers, quilts, and rugs); American Indian material; Shaker furniture; gameboards; tramp art; toys; jewelry; idiosyncratic works of art; and decorative art such as silver, glass, and Tiffany lamps.

Six new dealers complement the returning exhibitors and add a further sense of discovery and renewed vigor to the collecting areas that visitors to this show enjoy:

HL Chalfant American Fine Art & Antiques, West Chester, PA
American furniture, decorative accessories and fine art from the 18th to 20th century with an emphasis on Pennsylvania German material

Colette Donovan, Merrimacport, MA
Early American country with textiles

Elliott & Elliott Art and Antiques, Harbor Springs, MI
Antique jewelry, carvings, pottery, boat models, paintings, textiles, furniture and decorative items from the 18th century to the 1970s

Roberto Freitas American Antiques and Decorative Arts, Stonington, CT
Period 18th and 19th century America furniture, selected folk art, marine art and decorative arts

John Molloy Gallery, New York City
Finest quality antique Native American art

Lillian Nassau, LLC, New York City
Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany Studios including lamps, glass, windows, ceramics, paintings, and metalwork; American late 19th and early 20th century decorative arts and sculpture

The museum presents an extensive educational series to enhance the visitorís knowledge and enjoyment of the objects offered for sale at the show. All educational events include admission to The American Antiques Show and the show catalog.

A provocative new Panel Discussion on the timely topic ~"Buy ... or Sell?" takes place Thursday morning, January 21, 2010, from 9:30 - 10:45 am. What should a collector do in today's economic market? Join Wendy Moonan, journalist, contributing writer for Architectural Digest and former antiques columnist of the New York Times, and representatives of the auction, dealer and collecting communities for a lively panel discussion. Panelists include Moderator: Wendy Moonan, Auctioneer: Bill Stahl, Collectors: Joan Johnson and John Wilkerson, and Dealers: Amy Finkel and Tim Hill.
Participants will gain first entry before show doors open at 11.
Tickets are $75 general, $60 members, seniors, and students, includes a light breakfast

Folk Art Explorers: Insider's Day of Art and Antiques, Friday, January 22, 9:30 am
A daylong excursion including a visit to a private collection, an insider's view of the show with curator ermerita Lee Kogan, and more.
$135 museum members only

Curator's Choice: A Tour of the Show with Stacy C. Hollander, Friday January 22, 9:30-11 am
A tour of show highlights, led by the museum's senior curator
$55 general, $50 members, seniors, and students, includes a light breakfast

What Is It? What Is It Worth? Appraisal Day,
Saturday, January 23, 9:30 - 11 am,
An opportunity for show visitors to learn what their objects are worth, featuring renowned experts Helaine Fendelman, David Gallager, and Jane Willis
$45 general, $40 members, seniors, and students, includes a light breakfast
2-for-1 special! Bring a friend and learn about your treasures

Event cochairs are Barry D. Briskin, Joan M. Johnson, and Elizabeth V. Warren. Executive chairs are Barry D. Briskin, Lucy and Mike Danziger, Joan and Victor Johnson, Francesca Petrucci and Stephen Corelli, Petra and Stephen Levin, Laura and Richard Parsons, and Elizabeth and Irwin Warren. Vice chairs are Peyton Cochran and Rebecca and Michael Gamzon. Chair, Interior Designersí Committee is Karin Blake, applauded as one of the 100 Best Designers in Architectural Digest's 2009 list.

TAAS 2010 salutes its Texas Committee of Honor. This intrepid group will be active at the opening night gala and then participate in a number of activities especially designed for them during the weekend. Grand Chairman is Lynda Johnson Robb; Texas Chairmen are Jeanette Longoria and Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Herrmann; Honorary Chairman is Bill Stubbs;
New York Texas Honorary Chairmen are Joe Armstrong, Marie Brenner, and Uma Pemmaraju; Texas Designer of Honor is Sherry Hayslip and the Texas Committee consists of Mr. and Mrs. David Hamilton, Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Longoria, and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Marsh.

Show manager is Karen DiSaia and the Show Executive Director is Caroline Kerrigan Lerch.

Ticket Information for the Gala Opening Night:
TAAS Angel
$1,000 per person includes early entrance to the preview at 6 pm, cocktails at a fabulous Tribeca loft carved our of a Civil War-era building on Friday evening, January 22, a VIP pass for select TAAS Educational Series events, unlimited readmission, priority coat check, and show catalog
Friend of TAAS
7-9 pm, $375 per person includes entrance to the preview at 7 pm, a copy of the show catalog and unlimited readmission to the show.

Daily admission to The American Antiques Show is $18 and includes a show catalog and 2-for-1 admission ticket to visit the American Folk Art Museum, 45 West 53 Street. A free shuttle bus will run daily between the Metropolitan Pavilion and the American Folk Art Museum.

Show Hours: Thursday, January 21, 11 am - 8 pm
Friday, January 22, 11 am - 8 pm
Saturday, January 23, 11 am - 7 pm
Sunday, January 24, 12 noon - 5 pm
CafÈ: A cafÈ will be open during show hours.

For more information or to reserve tickets, please visit the show website www.theamericanantiquesshow.org, or call 212-977-7170, ext. 319