Southwest Florida's Premier Antiques Show Takes on New Look in 2008

NAPLES, FL--(Marketwire - February 13, 2008) - The 2008 Naples Art & Antiques Show, long known as the premier event of its kind in Southwest Florida, will take on a new look this year focusing on antiques as elements of contemporary interior design.

Scheduled for March 6-8 at Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church, 553 Galleon Drive, Naples, FL 34102, the Show will feature, for the first time, contemporary art along with traditional antiques. Now in its 27th year, the Show will celebrate the fine and decorative arts with all proceeds going to charities that serve the needy in Collier County.

"The Show will appeal to a younger audience looking to create home environments that reflect today's lifestyles, utilizing the occasional antique, art object, or painting to transform a room," said Mechlin Moore, Co-Chair of the 2008 Show. "Exciting social events will take place during the Show including a new kickoff reception hosted by Waterside Shops on March 4 in their newly rebuilt center in Pelican Bay," Judy Sherman, Co-Chair, reported. She said the Show will begin with a gala preview and buffet March 5 in a completely redesigned setting, and benefactors will be invited to a luncheon in a Port Royal home with a fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue.

"Our focus on design has attracted a number of new exhibitors, among them leading New York galleries," Moore said. "Interesting categories of art and antiques that were not in the Show before will be represented including contemporary Chinese paintings, Art Deco, rare and first edition books, classic Greek and Roman artifacts, Biedermeier furniture, imperial porcelain, and early Georg Jensen silver, among others. Collecting today is driven by interior design. We've updated the Show to reflect the fact that today's buyers often don't focus on a single discipline. They seek the best possible art and antiques from diverse periods and styles to enhance their living environments."

The Show will have a completely new look. Booths are being reconstructed under direction of Joan Bawden, a leading Michigan designer. The 2008 catalogue will feature a new design and contain significant articles by leading authorities in design, landscape décor, and jewelry.

Helen Costantino Fioratti, foremost authority on French and Italian furniture of the 17th and 18th centuries and owner of the New York gallery, L'Antiquaire & The Connoisseur, will speak at a luncheon March 7. Ulysses Grant Dietz, Curator of Decorative Arts at The Newark Museum, Newark, New Jersey, will speak at a brunch, March 8 on jewelry as a decorative art.

Show Times:

Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission $20

Lecture Tickets:

Friday, March 7, at 12 noon (Helen Fioratti) lecture and lunch: $100

Saturday, March 8, at 10 a.m. (Ulysses Grant Dietz) lecture and brunch: $50

Call the Naples Art & Antiques Show Office (239-262-0353) for tickets.

For more information, visit www.naplesantiqueshow.org.

Contact Information: Contact: Mechlin Moore 239-777-1595