VERO BEACH — Flawless antiques and collectibles, fine art and glittering estate jewelry beckoned temptingly to visitors at the Vero Beach Museum of Art’s twenty-first annual Antiques Show and Sale Thursday evening. The enduring show continues to attract antique-lovers who are drawn to the very best – and the 38 dealers who arrived from all over the country did not disappoint.
The event kicked off with a Patron’s Champagne Reception and Preview Party on Thursday, affording guests an opportunity to mingle with dealers and while getting a first glimpse of the spectacular items available for sale. Funds raised at the event benefit the Museum’s education programs.
Trude See, who co-chaired the event last year, enticed her friend Mackie Duch to join her in the effort this year. They were even able to tempt local collectors to loan some of their own pieces for an exhibition of Steuben glass displayed in the Buck Atrium. Their efforts will be augmented throughout the weekend by numerous volunteers who will provide much of the support for the event.
“It’s a pretty amazing collection of dealers,” said See. They enjoy the camaraderie with one another; they all respect one another.”
“And they love Vero – the Museum and the beautiful weather,” added Duch.
Charles Miller of the Miller Hamilton Company in Chapel Hill, NC has managed the show for the past twelve years, and has become very familiar with Vero’s savvy buyers and their exceptional taste in antiques. He utilizes that knowledge to put together a diverse, informative group of dealers – replacing those who retire from the show with others offering inventory of equally high quality.
“New this year, we have a dealer in Staffordshire; English figurines,” said Miller, speaking of Elinor Penna Fine Staffordshire. “She’s a nationally ranked leader in the business; she’s quite extraordinary.”
The other three new dealers this year were Blue Diamond Antiques, specializing in stunning Flow Blue transferware; Edwin Skinner Antiques, dealing in American fine art, furniture and hollowware; and Schorr & Dobinsky, featuring French furniture and accessories.
“Everybody loves coming here so much, that each year we have very few openings,” added Miller. “It has been a stable space, even during the recession. The Museum has really focused on upgrading and refining the show and the overall experience of being here. That has proven to be very successful.”
When asked their favorite part of the show, Stephanie and Orin Smith answered in unison, “Everything!”
“We are antique aficionados. We love to look at everything – from painting to artifacts to collectibles and jewelry – we love it all,” said Stephanie Smith. “We think this has been a very great addition to the Vero Beach culture scene. We look forward to it every year. It introduces people who may not have otherwise come to the museum, and it’s a really great museum.”
The show continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 and includes re-entry and admission to the Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera exhibition in the Holmes Gallery. Appraisals will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at an additional cost of $15 per item with a three-item maximum.