The annual Washington Winter Show kicked off with a preview night celebration at Katzen Arts Center.
By Erica Moody
Brennan & Mouilleseaux Antiques at the Washington Winter Show (Photo by Erica Moody)
The annual Washington Winter Show, The Washington Antique Show, kicked off last night with a preview night celebration at Katzen Arts Center at American University, the year with the theme “Ports of Call.” This year marks the 60th anniversary of the popular fine art and antique show, the second oldest charity show in the U.S., founded in 1955 to raise funds for local charities serving at-risk children and their families.
Washington Winter Show Executive Director Jonathan Willen with Chairs Blair Bourne and Leslie Jones. (Photo by Erica Moody)
As of 2015, over 8 million dollars has been raised since the show began. Proceeds from this year’s show will benefit THEARC Theater, Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys, and The Founders Board of St. John’s Community Services.
Washington Winter Show board member JoAnn Zuercher with her husband Glenn Reichardt (Photo by Erica Moody)
At the well-attended preview night, guests browsed three floors of fabulous antiques and met premier dealers from around the world. We saw a range of styles and periods in furnishings and decorative arts; in addition to furniture, dealers presented antique rugs, jewelry, porcelain, silver, ceramics, and architectural garden accents. The loan exhibition “Vessels of Victory” included sailing trophies dating back to the War of 1812. Guests enjoyed live jazz music, specialty cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres, and an elegant buffet dinner from Susan Gage Caterers.
The show runs through Sunday, January 11, with all events held at Katzen Arts Center. Fitting with this year’s theme, renowned historian and sailor Gary Jobson will be headlining the Saturday afternoon lecture “How to Win the America’s Cup” with members of Oracle Team USA’s sailing and design teams. There will also be dealer talks, an appraisal event, guided walks, and a “Saturday Soiree” with live calypso music.
