Celebrating its 59th edition showcasing America's preeminent dealers of antiques and fine art, The Philadelphia Show has a fresh look and a new approach. A stalwart show known for American art and antiques, the 2021 Philadelphia Show includes international influences with European and Asian works. Creative initiatives, venerable long-standing dealers, and first-time participants give the show a fresh approach to inspire visitors. Over 50 dealers featuring works from the 17th to the 21st centuries are gathered on a new and improved website from Friday, April 23 at 12pm through Friday, April 30. Discover a dynamic selection of furniture, porcelain, china, quilts, silver, fine art, jewelry, and much more in The Philadelphia Show's presentation and programming online and on social media. 

"The Philadelphia Show's new virtual platform and programming celebrate diverse interests and encourage participation across all generations of enthusiasts and collectors," shared Show Chair Lynn Gadsden. "My advice to new and younger collectors is to visit the Show and learn about what appeals to you. Be sure to participate in the Dealer Talks on Instagram Live; the education provided by the Show's experts will guide you for years to come."

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

The 2021 programming and platform is a new opportunity for The Philadelphia Show to cross-promote and present offerings from multiple dealers in an editorial context while highlighting its breadth and quality. These interactive presentations were made possible with the new website powered by Artlogic.

In the Tastemakers Series, national and local friends of the Show with a background or interest in design, antiques, or fine art will curate selections from across the Show's offerings. These include Main Line native and F.Schumacher and Company's Director of Content Emma Bazilian; David B. Devan, General Director and CEO, Opera Philadelphia; Executive Director of Sir John Soane's Museum Foundation Michael Diaz-Griffith; University of Pennsylvania's Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, Class of 1940 Bicentennial Term Associate Professor in the Department of the History of Art and affiliated faculty in Latin American and Latino Studies, Cinema Studies, and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies; Honorary Show Chair Anne Hamilton and Show Steering Committee member Angela Hudson; Urban Outfitters, Inc. Executive Wendy McDevitt; Designer, Author, and Maximalist Studios Chief Content Creator Eddie Ross; Decorative Arts Trust Executive Director Matthew Thurlow; and Park House Guides at The Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Dealers have collaborated on Themed Rooms, editorial style categories such as "The Philadelphia Story" (works made in PA), "Anchors Aweigh" (nautical and coastal works) and "Mod Squad" (Modern and Contemporary).

The Show manager will host daily talks with dealers on Zoom or Instagram Live @thephiladelphiashow. Topics include (see all Events):

-Arlie Sulka | Lillian Nassau The Genius Behind the Tiffany Lamps: Clara Driscoll;

-Vickie Manning | Somerville Manning Gallery The Wyeth Family in Context to 20th Century American Art;

-Arthur Liverant | Nathan Liverant and Son | Go Figure!;

-Barbara Israel | Barbara Israel Garden Antiques The Use of Ornaments in the Garden;

-Jasmine and Thierry Doussiene | Silver Art by D and R Of Sugar and Antique French Silver, A Sweet Alliance Throughout the Centuries;

-Allison Tolman | The Tolman Collection of New York Making Excellent Impressions: Contemporary Japanese Printmakers.

Embracing the annual Show's virtual version required updating the website to host the dealers and all their offerings; ease of navigation and beautiful presentation of works is the new platform's primary assets. Dealers each have dedicated pages for displaying their works of art (including details and multiple views), direct contact information, and a video introducing their gallery. All works are searchable using filters that organize the show inventory by period, style, medium, dimensions, and price. 

Of the 2021 exhibitors, one-third have been participating in the Show for more than 20 years, and several have joined recently:

• Alexandre Gallery, New York, NY
• Dixon-Hall Fine Art, Phoenixville, PA
• Gratz Gallery and Restoration Studio, Doylestown, PA
• William R. & Teresa F. Kurau, Lampeter, PA
• Lost City, Arts, New York, NY
• Questroyal Fine Art, New York, NY
• Schillay Fine Art, Inc., New York, NY
• Silver Art by D and R, Marseille-France
• The Tolman Collection, New York, NY

A tradition since the Show's founding in 1962, the curated, museum-quality annual loan exhibition allows visitors a closer look at a different discipline, period, or theme each year. This year's loan exhibition All Creatures Great and Small highlights The Philadelphia Show's dealers, who will share fine art and decorative works, some from their collections, featuring animals in all their rich diversity. Through a range of works spanning several centuries, the loan exhibit showcases the various and charming ways our fellow animal kingdom members have been depicted and honored by artists and craftspeople. Alexandra Kirtley, the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Montgomery-Garvan Curator of American Decorative Arts, curated the loan exhibition with collector and long-time Show supporter Joan Johnson.