More than 20 preservation organizations have pledged their support for the relaunch of The Ellis Boston Antiques Show, October 20-23, 2011.  The show will feature 40 exhibitors, drawn from both past Ellis exhibitors as well as many new additions, offering a vast array of antiques, decorative arts, fine art, jewelry, silver, antiquities, quilts, rare maps, books, prints and more. The weekend show is Friday, October 21, 1pm - 9pm, Saturday October 22, 11am - 8pm, and Sunday, October 23, 11am - 5pm. Admission is $15 at the door, with children under 12 free. Admission includes the show catalog, all special programs, and re-admission throughout the weekend. Friday evening from 6pm to 9pm will be "New Collectors' Night", featuring a panel discussion "Essentials for the New Collector", sponsored by ARIS Title Insurance Corporation.  For more information, call 617-363-0405 or visit www.EllisBoston.com.

The show opens with a Gala Preview on Thursday, October 20, with all proceeds to benefit Ellis Memorial, Boston's first settlement house.  Located in Boston's South End, Ellis Memorial has been caring for children, disabled adults, and families who live and work in the South End and adjacent neighborhoods since 1885. Tickets for the Gala Preview are $250, and may be purchased online at www.EllisMemorial.org, or by calling 617-695-9307 x 12.

One of the most important non-profit social service agencies in the city, Ellis Memorial is in the process of renovating two historic buildings on Berkeley Street to house their programming.  In 1924, Ellis purchased a former church at 66 Berkeley Street and has operated its programs out of the building for 85 years. Recently, to help accommodate their growing needs over the past 8 decades, Ellis purchased the adjacent building at 58 Berkeley Street, the 1926 Paramount Pictures Film Exchange Building. The organization is undertaking a multi-million dollar renovation of both buildings. 

In recognition of Ellis Memorial’s preservation efforts, and to support The Ellis Boston Antiques Show, more than 20 notable preservation and historical organizations will serve on the Preservation Committee for the show.  Co-Chairing the Committee are Sarah Kelly and Susan Parks, Executive Director and Chairman, respectively, of The Boston Preservation Alliance.  Committee member organizations include: Art Deco Society of Boston, Bay Village Neighborhood Association, Beacon Hill Civic Association, Bostonian Society, Chinese Historical Society of New England, Commonwealth Museum, Concord Museum, Discover Roxbury, Friends of Copley Square, Friends of the Public Garden, Massachusetts Historical Society, Museum of Afro American History, North Bennet Street School, Paul Revere Memorial Association, Preservation Massachusetts, Shirley Eustis House, Society of Architectural Historians, South End Historical Society, Strawbery Banke Museum, Victorian Society in America/New England Chapter, and Vilna Shul, Boston Center for Jewish Culture.

"We believe that antique collectors and preservationists are two sides of the same coin, and share many of the same values and interests", comments co-producer Tony Fusco.  "In re-launching the Ellis Boston Antiques Show we would like to also celebrate the work of preservation organizations across the city."

Fusco & Four produces three premier fine art, antique and design shows in Boston: The Ellis Boston Antiques Show October 20-23, 2011; The 15th Annual Boston International Fine Art Show, November 17-20, 2011; and The 5th Annual AD20/21: Art & Design of the 20th & 21st Centuries, which will take place March 15-18, 2012.   For information, call 617-363-0405, or visit www.BostonArtFairs.com 

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Editor’s Notes: • Additional background and on request

• Interviews may be arranged with participants

• Media are invited to attend the Gala and Show