Art, jewelry and antique aficionados will not only get to see some of the world’s most extraordinary collections from more than 550 international dealers, but they'll also have the opportunity to attend lectures presented by a stellar lineup of knowledgeable and respected speakers as part of the 2011 lecture series at the 31st Annual Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 25-28, at the Baltimore Convention Center.
 
Kicking off the series on Thursday afternoon at 3:00 p.m., Wendy A. Cooper, Lois F. and Henry S. McNeil senior curator of furniture at Winterthur Museum, will present an illustrated lecture on Paint, Pattern, and People: Furniture of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 1725–1850, a landmark exhibition at the museum that explores the stunning and diverse furniture of southeastern Pennsylvania and the people who made, owned, inherited, and collected it. Delving into the cultures and creativity of the area’s inhabitants, primarily those of British and Germanic heritage, the exhibition features nearly 200 objects, including unique and colorful furniture, fraktur, needlework, paintings, and other items related to the history of the region.
 
Paint, Pattern, and People sheds new light on distinctive local variations of furniture, presenting well-documented examples for which the maker or family history is known. The museum’s exhibition is accompanied by a complementary video, special house tours, and a fully illustrated, 320-page publication. Following the lecture there will be a book signing by Ms. Cooper, co-author of the publication.
 
Free and open to the public, the lecture series will also feature talks by industry experts such as Robert Mintz, Ph.D., associate curator of Asian art at The Walters Art Museum; and Miller Gaffney, principal of Miller Gaffney Art Advisory. Also lecturing will be exhibiting dealers, including Jeff Bridgman of Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques; Janet Drucker of Drucker Antiques; Matthew Baer of The Ivory Tower; and Timothy Stevenson of Carlson & Stevenson Antiques and Art.
 
“Many of our exhibitors are accomplished academics and renowned experts in their respective fields and their knowledge and reputation goes well beyond the extraordinary collections they bring to the show,” notes Scott Diament, president and CEO of the Palm Beach Show Group. “We are thrilled to welcome specialists from Winterthur Museum and The Walters Art Museum to this year’s series. It has always been our goal to provide an environment that fosters an understanding and appreciation of art and antiques, and we believe that the lectures that will be presented by this year’s diverse group of speakers will be greatly enjoyed by both guests and exhibitors.”

The 31st Annual Baltimore Summer Antiques Show will take place August 25-28, 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md. Hours are Thursday, August 25, from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27, from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, August 28, from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $12.00 and are good for all four show days. For more information, please visit www.baltimoresummershow.com