With the support of a distinguished advisory exhibitor committee, The Art Fair Company announces a strong roster of prominent dealers at its new Metro Show NYC, which runs from January 18 to 22, 2012 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street in Chelsea.

“We are very privileged to have the support of Amy Finkel, Carl Hammer, Samuel Herrup, Tim Hill, Allan Katz, and Frank Maresca of Ricco/Maresca Gallery, who are on the Metro Show’s exhibitor advisory committee,” said Caroline Kerrigan Lerch, Fair Director. “Their commitment, insight, and expertise are key to the success of the show, which will present an eclectic mix of arts and design, at the same location and time as the past American Antiques Show.”

While keeping the best of the previous fair’s material, The Metro Show has expanded its range of offerings to include mid-20th-century design, ethnographic material, applied and decorative arts, photography, and modern painting. “Our vision is to illustrate the intellect, beauty, and vision in American arts and design, while placing it in a more modern and international context,” said Lerch. “We want to broaden its appeal and reach out to a new and younger audience while renewing the interest of the loyal attendees who flock each January to the Metropolitan Pavilion, in the heart of New York’s bustling and vibrant arts community.”

In addition to the members of the advisory committee, other specialists include: Galerie St. Etienne, with masters of Austrian and German Expressionism as well as works by important self-taught and outsider artists; Lillian Nassau, presenting Tiffany and mid-20th-century studio furniture by George Nakashima and Paul Evans, among others; John Molloy Gallery, with Native American works; Jeff and Holly Noordsy, with glass and period decorative arts; Cavin-Morris Gallery, presenting tribal art, textiles, ceramics and works by self-taught artists; Gary R. Sullivan Antiques, featuring early American furniture and clocks; and S. Scott Powers, with fine examples of Burl Treen.

“I view this art fair offering as an amazing crossroads opportunity for exhibitors and collectors alike to experience the very best representation of multiple disciplines within the arts, spanning the distance of four centuries,” said Carl Hammer, of the Carl Hammer Gallery in Chicago.

“In each booth, fair visitors will be able to meet an expert in his field, eager to share information with an interested public,” said Mark Lyman, President of The Art Fair Company. “The Metro Show builds further on The Art Fair’s reputation for building art fairs that are both an extra-ordinary marketplace and a provocative and educational forum.”

Adding another dimension to the fair are William Diamond and Anthony Baratta, who will create the
mise-en-scène, injecting their signature look of bold and colorful patterns incorporating a selection of works of art provided by the dealers. In addition, a committee of prominent interior designers and collectors has been formed. Mario Buatta, William Diamond, and Anthony Baratta, Ellie Cullman, Jamie Drake, Maureen Footer, Thomas Jayne, Miles Redd, will co-chair the Metro Show NYC Collectors Circle.
“As an antiques dealer specializing in traditional forms of folk art, I’m excited to participate in The Metro Show, which mixes historic and modern works in the space of the former American Antiques Show,” said Amy Finkel of M. Finkel & Daughter in Philadelphia.

“The Metro Show, with its exciting and diverse appeal, promises to become one of the most popular collector destinations in America,” notes Allan Katz of Allan Katz Americana in Woodbridge, Conn.

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The Opening Night Preview is Wednesday, January 18, VIP invitation-only reception from 6:00 to 7:00 PM; $75 ticketed preview from 7:00 - 9:00. The show opens to the public on Thursday, January 19. Hours are Thursday, January 19: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Friday, January 20: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Saturday, January 21: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Sunday, January 22: 12 noon - 5:30 pm. General admission is $15 per person; a multi-day pass is $30 per person.

ABOUT THE ART FAIR COMPANY
The Art Fair Company, founded by Michael Franks, the former COO of dmg world media, and Mark Lyman, Founding Director of the Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fairs (SOFA), now produces SOFA fairs in Chicago, New York and Santa Fe, the leading contemporary decorative art and design fairs in the world. They also produce The Intuit Outsider and Folk Art Fair, in Chicago. The company also provides professional promotional and operational support to other art and antique fair producers.