Twenty outstanding antiques dealers and four accredited appraisers will be at the 16th Annual Charity Antiques Show and Appraisal Event at downtown Easton’s Waterfowl Building, March 20 – 22, to benefit the Mental Health Association of Talbot County (MHATC).
MHATC’s major fundraiser, the annual show not only provides an exciting event to the community each spring, it benefits mental health advocacy programs as well. PNC Bank is sponsoring this year’s show. Susan and Jack Stoltz are sponsoring program books.
This year’s theme, Antiques Are Green, was chosen to emphasize that antiques are renewable, recyclable and responsible, according to Sharon Ritter, event co-chair.
Marguerite Beebe, also co-chair, says the community already has shown a great deal of support for this show. “Twenty restaurants have responded to our raffle and winners’ names will be drawn on Sunday, March 22, the last day of the show.”
Opening Night on March 20, kicks off the event with a Preview Party providing a first look at all the antiques and visits with dealers from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres will be presented by Denton’s Lily Pad restaurant. Preview Party Sponsors include Easton Bank & Trust, The Hill Group at Smith Barney Citibank, Fred and Lesley Israel, Mary Ann Schoeb, Shore Health Systems, Wishing Well Liquors, Shore Bancshares, Inc., and Wye Financial & Trust. Honorary chairpersons for the party are Bruce Wiltsie, Julie Susman and Owen Wormser.
Dealers from New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania will be at the event throughout the weekend. New to the show are Christine Magne, Antiquaire, David Beauchamp, Northumberland Antiques and Riverside Antiques. Committee member Kathy Canzoniero says she considers the dealers this year to be the most intriguing since she has been a member.
A variety of credentialed appraisers will be available Appraisal Day, Saturday, March 21. Reservations have already been called in to have a favorite heirloom appraised, according to the MHATC staff.
Claiborne Beall, ASA, of Beall Appraisal Service, LLC, an accredited senior appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, has expertise in furniture, porcelain, silver, paintings and prints. Sherlene Bradbury, GIA Graduate Gemologist, has 30 years of estate appraisal experience and uses a state-of-the-art portable laboratory to appraise diamonds, gold, gems, jewelry and watches.
Newbold Richardson of Alexandria, VA has been a textile and material cultures historian for more than 25 years. She evaluates, conserves and appraises historic textiles for private and institutional clients. New this year is Marie Martin, an appraiser of 19th and 20th century and contemporary photography. Her clients include The Wilderness Society, US News & World Report, Washington Post and the Library of Congress.
For appraisal reservations, call 410 822-0444. Cost for the appraisals is $30 for two items and $10 for each additional item and includes a show ticket. Tickets are $65 or $75 at the door.
The Antiques Show opens Saturday at 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with complimentary wine and cheese from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Highlights of the weekend are Booth Talks on Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. A complementary tea takes place on Sunday at 2:00 p.m., which is when the raffle ticket drawing takes place.
The goal of the MHATC is to support the entire mental health community by promoting mental wellness, encouraging improvement in the care and access to treatment of the mentally ill, and defeating the stigma that is a barrier to mental health treatment universally.
Proceeds will benefit the Mental Health Association’s Veterans’ Initiative, Mental Health First Aid Training, Kids on the Block and Eldercare Training. For more information on mental health referrals and prevention programs call 822-0444 or visit www.mhamdes.org.