12 Anniversary Preview

12th Anniversary 28 www.antiquesandfineart.com I n 1955, East Side House Settlement created the Winter Antiques Show as a charity fundraising arm; after nearly six decades East Side continues to produce this most prestigious of shows. All net proceeds from ticket sales, catalogue revenues, and corporate sponsorships benefit the charity, contributing thirty percent of East Side’s private philanthropic budget. Established in 1891, in 1963 the not-for-profit community service opened its doors in the South Bronx within one of the nation’s poorest congressional districts. Among its programs is the Mott Haven Village Preparatory High School, 90% of whose graduates attend college. A new initiative, Bronx Haven High School, guides over-aged, under-credited students on the road to employment and college. Both schools focus on educa- tion as the key to economic and civic opportunity, and it is in this context that the Winter Antiques Show Education Fund was established in 2004. Funds raised by the Winter Antiques Show assist deserving and motivated students by providing funding for scholarship assistance for enrollment in college, college preparation and visits, computer training, young adult education, exposure to the arts and broader culture, and career internships. Comments John Sanchez, East Side House’s Executive Director, “Each year funding provided by the Winter Antiques Show allows East Side House staff to offer educa- tional enrichment programs to hundreds of families dependent on those services. For most, these students are the first mem- bers of their families with access to higher education.” The Winter Antiques Show educates in various ways to appeal to different audiences. Students in East Side House programs have guided tours planned for them by graduate student interns in the American Fine and Decorative Arts Masters program at Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Integral to their curriculum, the graduate students participate for two weeks in the production of the show, both behind the scenes and assisting exhibitors in their booths. In addition to leading tours, the interns coordinate the lectures and events, greet vis- itors, manage the vetting process, and have opportunities to meet curators, dealers, board members, collectors, sponsors, designers—and a few celebrities. The arms and armor in Peter Finer’s booth are always a highlight on the guided tour given to ESHS students. The students see the Show before it is open to the public, and have the opportunity to meet exhibitors all specialties and learn about a variety of objects. Educating through Antiques and Art Educational opportunities for show attendees include a loan exhibition, this year featuring Historic Hudson Valley; an often standing-room-only, multi-part lecture series on the latest scholarship in the decorative arts, interior design, and the loan exhibition; and a Young Collectors Night that pro- motes interest in antiques through the eyes of young designers. Even experts on the vetting committee look for- ward to learning from their colleagues during the annual vetting day. The 2012 Winter Antiques Show is open daily from January 20–29 at the Park Avenue Armory at 67th Street, NYC. For information visit www.winterantiquesshow.com or call 718.292.7392. For information on East Side House visit www.eastsidehouse.org, and for Sotheby’s Institute of Art visit www.sothebysinstitute.com.