The antiques and art world are about to experience an entirely new way of looking at and acquiring objects of desire as Antiques & Art Avant-Garde Greenwich opens its doors, featuring more than 40 exceptional exhibitors.

The inaugural event benefiting the Bruce Museum and Greenwich Historical Society will be a lavish preview gala opening the show Friday, December 14 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center located at 90 Harding Road in Old Greenwich, CT.

Antiques & Art Avant-Garde Greenwich will present nationally as well as internationally known specialists in the fields of fine art, period furniture, exceptional jewelry of all periods including deco, estate, and contemporary, treasured boxes, Mid Century and modern furnishings and sculpture, beautiful Majolica, exquisite Asian art and artifacts, period fireplace décor and brass candlesticks, rarities in silver, Delft and Chinese export porcelain, nautical, early English furniture and ceramics including decorative and historical Staffordshire, prints, maps, fine books, stylist and fashionable ladies purses and handbags, plus garden décor, American furniture, folk art and fine gentleman’s accessories all in tastefully arranged stands.   There will also be an excellent selection of programs to educate visitors Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16.

The program schedule for Saturday, December 15 is:

11:30 a.m.

Join Alexa Hampton, president and featured designer of Mark Hampton, LLC., the world famous design firm started by her late father in 1976.  “The Language of Interior Design” will be the subject of her talk sharing industry insights and a fascinating power point presentation. Reservations and tickets required.

2:00 p.m.

Leigh Keno, president of Keno Auctions and Keno Art Advisory, will moderate an informal panel discussion entitled “An Insider’s View with Leigh Keno and Friends” presenting collectors and advisors in the field of art and antiques discussing current market trends and the importance of expert advice and guidance. Reservations and tickets required with tea sandwiches and beverages provided courtesy of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine.  An impressive group of panelists will be joining Mr. Keno, including:

Vivian Ebersman, Director, Art Expertise, AXA Art Insurance

Vivian Ebersman is the director of art expertise at AXA Art Insurance Corporation, a global specialty carrier insuring fine art and collectibles. The Art Expertise department focuses on the content and valuations of private and corporate collections, museums exhibitions and galleries. The department reviews new submissions to the company, all policies prior to renewal and networks within the greater art community. 

AXA Art serves a wide range of clients, from first-time purchasers to the world's most respected collectors, as well as individual artists, museums, galleries, corporations and public exhibitions. AXA Art insures objects in every active area of serious collecting, that includes paintings, drawings and sculpture to rare stamps, antique furnishings and vintage vehicles.  AXA Art maintains offices around the world

Nancy Harrison, Partner, Fine Art Asset Management & Emigrant Bank Fine Art Finance, President, Appraisers Association of America

In 2006, Nancy Harrison joined Emigrant Bank Fine Art Finance, which lends funds to collectors, art dealers, institutions and foundations.  In 2009, she helped form its subsidiary, Fine Art Asset Management, which provides appraisal and art/financial consulting services.

Ms. Harrison is also President of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), the oldest and most prestigious professional organization of personal property appraisers. She serves on the organization's Executive, Ethics, and Development Committees.

Betty Krulik – Betty Krulik Fine Art Limited and Fine Art Consultant at Keno Auctions

Betty Krulik has more than 30 years of experience in the handling of American and European 19th and 20th Century Art. She has sold to and on behalf of major collectors and museums around the nation. She has acted as appraiser for corporate and institutional collections as well as private collectors.  Ms. Krulik has handled the sales of important American Art, from the Hudson River School to American Modernism.

Ms. Krulik is the President-elect of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), the oldest and most prestigious professional organization of personal property appraisers.  She serves on the organization's Board of Trustees.

Heidi Kucker - Art Advisor, Heidi Kucker Fine Art

Ms. Kucker is president of Heidi Kucker, Inc. a fine art advisory business.  Prior to that time, she was a vice president in the Client Advisory department at Christie’s in New York for 14 years.

Ms. Kucker currently works with museums, corporations, auction houses,  dealers and high net worth individuals in the United States and internationally, covering various fields including Jewelry, Old Master Paintings, Impressionist and Modern works of art as well as Contemporary. Some of the comprehensive services she provides include advice on purchasing, selling, collection management and investing in fine art and jewelry.

Marjorie McGraw – American Furniture, Paintings, Folk Art and Decorative Arts Collector

Marjorie McGraw and her husband John, have, over the past 20 years, formed one of the most important American furniture, paintings, folk art and decorative arts collections in the world.  As a devoted supporter of Winterthur Museum, in Wilmington DE, she was appointed to the Collections Committee in 2003, and was a co-chair of Winterthur’s Henry Francis du Pont Collector’s Circle group from 2003 to 2007.  Mr. and Mrs. McGraw established a major challenge grant there that resulted in combined new memberships, gifts, increased giving levels, and significant matching funds.  The Elizabeth B. McGraw Foundation distributes grants to a wide variety of Artistic and other causes across the country.

Renée N. Vara – Director, VARA Fine Arts

Renée Vara is the Director of VARA Fine Arts, a full service art advisory firm specializing in 20th century, contemporary and emerging art and design. For more than a decade, she was the National Fine Arts Specialist at Chubb Insurance, where she served as the private curator and collection manager for Artnews magazine’s “Top 100 Collectors” with collections valued up to $1 Billion.

As an expert, Ms. Vara has been cited in many publications including:  Forbes, The New York Times, DowJones, The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, Artnews, Art & Antiques, Town and Country, US Newsand World Report and Crain’s, as well as CNN.

The program scheduled for Sunday, December 16, includes:

1:00 p.m.

Internationally recognized designer Lynne Scalo of Lynne Scalo Design, Westport, CT, and show design chair, will present a trend-setting and contemporary booth chat entitled “What’s Modern Now”, complimentary with show admission and promises to awaken the designer in you.

Show hours:

Saturday, December 15 from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 16 from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Admission $15 per person (free return admissions all weekend with return pass). Senior guests $12 per person (65+).

 There will be a gourmet show café catered by Versailles of Greenwich themed “A French Christmas” as well as free parking, complimentary magazines and newspapers on antiques and on-site show shipping provided by Plycon Movers.  The show is handicap accessible; no pets allowed except service animals.

 For more information, exhibitor list and accommodations please visit www.barnstar.com.  For Preview Gala reservations and special event tickets please call 203 413 6764 or visit www.aaagg.eventbrite.com