Anticipation is building for the 57th Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show, which will be held from Friday, April 26, through Sunday, April 28, 2019, at The Navy Yard, with a Preview Party on Thursday, April 25, and a jazz night on Saturday, April 27. With over 60 dealers participating from across the United States, a full schedule of special programs is planned, including social events, lectures, panel discussions and tours. Tickets are now on sale, with proceeds from the show benefiting the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s educational programs. 

Anne Hamilton, the 2019 Honorary Chair of the Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show, said: “This year’s show will highlight a wide variety of furniture, paintings, jewelry, silver, textiles, porcelain, and more—from the period of the early colonial period to the present day. Dealers and collectors as well as guest lecturers and volunteers will talk about the works of art on display and the rich and fascinating histories they represent.”

A special loan exhibit, “The Art of Silver,” will showcase American masterpieces from the exceptional collection of American decorative arts of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Organized by Alexandra Kirtley, The Montgomery-Garvan Curator of American Decorative Arts at the Museum, the selection of objects will range from the monumental “Maxwell Vase” made in 1829 by Philadelphia silversmith Thomas Fletcher to whimsical and elegant modern expressions. In a special event focused on this subject, Timothy Rub, The George D. Widener Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, will hold a conversation with Beatrice B. Garvan, Curator Emerita of American Decorative Arts, and David L. Barquist, The H. Richard Dietrich Jr. Curator of American Decorative Arts, co-authors of the newly released book, American Silver in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Volume I, Makers A-F. The publication is the first volume to document in detail the Museum’s extraordinary silver collection and is available in the museum store or online.

On Friday, April 26, renowned interior designer Jeffrey Bilhuber will speak about his new publication Everyday Decorating (Rizzoli, March 19, 2019) and several of the show’s dealers and collectors will share their expertise during a panel discussion led by Laura Beach, editor-at-large of Antiques and the Arts Weekly. Beach will also receive the Antique Dealers Association Award of Merit at the ADA’s annual dinner that evening.

“The Philadelphia Museum of Art is honored to be a beneficiary of the Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show for the second year,” said Rub. “We have high hopes for making this show a place where the past and the present come into dialogue together in exciting ways as visitors explore over nearly four centuries of American art and design.”

This year, The Women’s Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is organizing the Preview Party, show programming and providing volunteer support for the show. Lynn Gadsden, Chair of the show, said: “We are thrilled to partner with the Museum to ensure that this new show offers a stimulating experience for a wide audience, from seasoned collectors to adventurous millennials who might be just beginning to make their own discoveries in the field of American antiques and art.”

For a schedule of events or to purchase tickets, visit www.paas2019.com or call 215-763-8100.

The Philadelphia Antiques & Art Show is open to the public:
Friday, April 26 – 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 – 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 28 – 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
General admission is $20/person online or at the door and includes access to the regular programming, with discounts available for PMA members, seniors, and groups. For more information as well as tickets for lectures and tours, visit www.paas2019.com. The Preview Party will be held from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. Tickets are $300 ($150 tax deductible), or $150 for young collectors (under 45). A 5:00 p.m. entrance ticket is $600 ($450 tax deductible). Tickets to the "Hot Jazz, Cool Drinks” event,  5:00-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, are $50.