It’s time for the Heart of Country Antiques Show

Posted: Wednesday, January 11, 2012 8:00 pm

The famous Heart of Country Antiques Show known as the “Grand-daddy of Antiques Shows” takes place at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville Feb. 2, 3 and 4.
The show is filled with American, English, primitive and period furniture, American art, folk art, western art, pottery, quilts, decoys, sports, jewelry, nautical, historical, rugs, baskets, paint, pewter, silver, books and endless decorative accessories from north to south.
The preview party will take place on Feb. 2 from 6–9 p.m.
Participants will be the first to shop at the show. They will also dine on one of the best southern party buffets ever presented with live country music and tons of special guests. Tickets for the preview party opening are available at the door for $65 ($60 if purchased by Jan. 20) and are good for re-entry through Saturday. Tickets will be mailed to those ordering early and may be ordered with check to Kramer-Hunkins & Associates, 168 Parsons Ave., St. Louis, MO 63119.
The Friday morning before the show opens to the public, ticketholders will have another chance to glimpse inside and get a close up tour of the booths guided by expert collectors during the walking tour. They turn things upside down and inside out to show tour goers just what makes a particular antique something to note. Tickets for this are available at the door for $25 each and includes the day’s admission.
The regular show hours continue that Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and that Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission runs $10 each day or a two-day pass for $15 and can be purchased at the door. Free parking is available and a shuttle will bring participants to the front entrance of the show. This year the special guest will be Jill Peterson, author, American country stylist and editor of the popular magazine, A Simple Life. Show-goers can meet and visit with Ms. Peterson at the magazine showcase booth decorated in the style of a country log cabin and located in the main center aisle of the show.
That Saturday at 11 a.m., the tradition of the dealer panel presentation called “Speaking from the Heart” returns with a focus on specialty collecting. And, show-goers will not won’t miss the ever popular “Under $200 Booth” filled with specially selected quality antique treasures contributed from our exhibiting dealers and all priced under $200.
Heart of Country is featured in the new PBS Quilt Documentary Series. The Heart of Country Antiques Show is proud to be prominently featured in this groundbreaking nine part television series entitled “Why Quilts Matter” from executive producer and founder of The Kentucky Quilt Project, Shelly Zegart. Ms. Zegart brought her production team onto the floor of the show for a day to interview expert quilt dealers and collectors about the quilts available for purchase and those on display. Along with many other contributors filmed over a two-year process, the results are spectacular and reflect an in-depth and entertaining look at the history, art, and politics of American quilt-makers and quilt-making. In honor of the debut of this series, Heart of Country will present a special quilt exhibit and sale featuring a wide range of beautiful antique quilts collected through the years at the show. The two-disc DVD will be available for purchase at Heart of Country or by visiting www.whyquiltsmatter.org
As always, the spotlight shines on the outstanding dealers from across the country who work hard to present a wide range of selected antiques and decorative accessories in every price range. Their hallmark is their passion and knowledge, alongside an eagerness to share what they know with every customer.
For more information, visit the website www.heartofcountry.com, email Susan@heartofcountry.com or call (314) 962-8580.

Published in The Messenger 1.11.12