The Antique & Design Center at Market Square announced that it is launching the High Point Market’s first-ever educational seminar series created exclusively for the antique and design business at Spring Market 2011. The series is free to Market-goers thanks to the sponsorship of VandM.com, the go-to online source for unique vintage furniture, antiques, art and jewelry direct from hundreds of dealers around the world.
According to Karen Luisana, managing director of the Antique & Design Center, the provocative series is aimed at expanding designers’ and retailers’ expertise and comfort level with the antiques business.
“If ever there was a time to be dealing in antiques, this is it,” Luisana relates. “Everywhere we look, we see that more and more consumers are craving furnishings of real quality. People are tiring of disposable, mass-produced goods that don’t last. If they are going to spend money, they want to invest in pieces of real value, furnishings and objects d’ art that they know will continue to increase in value over time. They want special. They want pieces with a story behind them. And, they are increasingly seeking to live more sustainable lifestyles. The simple truth is that antiques, by their very nature, are green products because they are meant to be treasured, and passed down over time.”
For these reasons, Luisana says, it makes sense for buyers and designers who want to expand their businesses to make time at Market to get better acquainted with the category. “In addition to the unmatched collection of more than 50 antiques dealers and artisans we have assembled for Spring Market on the Ground and Mezzanine levels of historic Market Square, the seminar series features a slate of marquee names and world-class speakers who are all considered rock stars in their chosen fields. Given that all of the seminars are complimentary to Market-goers, the series offers an incredible opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business.”
The series kicks off on Monday, April 4th at 2 p.m. with keynote speaker Bill Indursky and VandM.com’s Yearbook 2010-2011: Trend Forecast for the Antique and Home Décor Industry. Indursky is co-founder of VandM.com, as well as an award-winning designer, architect, realist painter and author of the upcoming book, Emil Carlsen: The Complete Known Works. Featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Chicago Home + Garden among others, the site has been called “the best vintage shopping on the web” by the “Los Angeles Times,” “a must place to shop” by Vogue, and a “dream source” by Apartment Therapy. Indeed, more than 125,000 design savvy clients visit VandM.com every month to find items and read design and art news, original stories, interviews, and more.
At 3:30, antiques dealer, appraiser and authenticator David Lindquist takes center stage for Antique Furniture--What to Know Before You Buy. Lindquist—a principal of Whitehall Antiques, a senior accredited member of ASA, and an author whose books remain indispensible to appraisers and collectors—provides a hard-hitting, hands-on presentation on how to educate your eye and guide your clients in acquiring legitimate antiques.
On Tuesday, April 5th, seminars begin at 10:30 a.m., with antiques dealer and designer Charles Hanlon of Mayfair Antiques of South Tampa and Antiques Row in Palm Beach. Hanlon, who also serves as antiques and design consultant for NBC’s weekday series “Day Time.” is a specialist in 18th & 19th century French, English and Italian furniture, as well as reproduction and modern pieces. His presentation is entitled Classic Elements of Modern Design.
Then, at 2 p.m., the subject is From Business to Brand: How to Go From Unlocking the Doors to Unlocking Your Potential, presented by Shayne Hart, principal, Guild Inc.
Hart is well known as an advisor of emerging brands; visual and performing artists; corporations; venture capitalists; entrepreneurs; foundations and cultural organizations in all areas of strategy, holistic branding, development, design integration, creative direction, and innovation. As Principal of GUILD, a multi-disciplinary creative agency, he uniquely engages in this work by tapping creative teams across a wide spectrum of skills and expertise to bring new perspectives to each project. Hart, his clients, projects, and ventures have been prominently featured in the media including “WWD,” Vogue, “The Washington Post,” Boutique Hong Kong, Conde Nast Sports for Women, Elle Décor, E Television, MTV, Bravo, Harper’s Bazaar, In Style, VH-1, Logo Network, among others.
At 3:30, Barbara Segal, founder of Interior Designer Chat, presents The Value of Social Media in Today’s Design World. An Internet thought leader since 1995, Segal has worked in PR, social media, new, old and ancient media. She believes the key to being a great communications professional is quite simple: listen to your client and target audience and figure out how to connect the two. Beyond communications, Segal is president of Noir Blanc Interiors, LLC, an established design firm focused on the luxury market and specializing in coastal living, high rises and yacht interiors.
At 5 p.m., the Antique & Design Center hosts a Happy Hour Tweet-Up sponsored by Pilot Benefits (www.pilot-benefits.com) in its Internet Café, followed by Interior Designer Chat hosted live by Barbara Segal at 6 p.m. “
“Interior Designer Chat is a community of interior designers, interior architects, design bloggers, and members of the home decor, gift, and home furnishings industries,” Luisana says. “Its weekly Twitter chat enjoys an international following every Tuesday at 6 p.m. (EST): hashtag #IntDesignerChat, and Twitter handle @IntDesignerChat. We are very excited to be able to help Market-goers address the social media phenomenon, and to help people do business online. This is just one more example of the modern attitude infusing today’s antique and design business!”
The Antique & Design Center will open to High Point Market visitors at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2011. All are invited to the opening night party that evening, from 5 to 8 p.m.
About the Antique and Design Center: The Antique & Design Center opened at the Fall 2010 High Point Market with one goal: To change the way Market-goers buy antiques at High Point Market. Specializing in exquisite antiques, original works of art, handcrafted and repurposed objects and one-of-a-kind “finds,” exhibitors’ spaces change throughout Market week as pieces are sold and replaced each day. Buyer amenities in the new Market Square location include free Wi-Fi service in the Internet Café, 50 dedicated parking spaces and a private entrance on W. Commerce Avenue between Tomlinson and Jacob’s Place. Additionally, the adjacent Boiler Room Bar and Tin Roof Café serve food and beverages daily.
For more information about the Antique & Design Center at Market Square, or to contact the extraordinary collection of exhibitors prior to Market, visit www.hpadc.com, or read the blog at www.highpointantiquecenter.blogspot.com.