Entering its 24th year the Aiken Center for the Arts hosts a yearly celebrated fundraising event, the Aiken Antique Show. This event not only captivates antique enthusiasts, locals and visitors, but it also serves as the sole fundraiser for the local art center. Spearheading this incredible fundraiser is Lisa Castles, owner of York Cottage Antiques, Barbara Smoak, Co-chair for the show, and Caroline Gwinn, Executive Director for the Aiken Center for the Arts. These ladies oversee numerous aspects of the show from coordinating vendors, scheduling presentations, guiding volunteers and preparing their glamorous Cocktails and Collectors preview party, making it an event that seamlessly blends history, culture and community spirit.
The Aiken Antique Show is more than just a gathering of antique dealers and enthusiasts; it is a vital cog in the machinery that supports the Aiken Center for the Arts. This event plays a pivotal role in promoting and sustaining this incredible cultural hub, allowing it to flourish as a beacon of artistic expression within the Aiken community. The funds generated from the antique show contribute significantly to the center’s operational costs, ensuring its continued ability to offer art exhibitions, educational programs and community outreach initiatives.
The heart of the antique show lies in the carefully curated selection of vendors who bring their treasures to our historic town. Castles explained how she works diligently to pull from their long list of vendors across the Southeast and coordinate a diverse group of 21 specialized antique dealers. Her dedication and focus on orchestrating vendors that are credible and knowledgeable guarantees the items curated for the show are a unique selection of antiquities. Yearly planning and careful selection by Castles help align an offering that not only appeals to the amateur first-timers but also to the lifetime collectors who attend year after year.
The logistics involved in transporting valuable antiques can be quite complex. More than 50 volunteers work closely with vendors to facilitate the smooth arrival and setup of each exhibit. From ensuring proper security measures to creating an aesthetically pleasing layout, every detail is considered to create an immersive and enjoyable experience for both vendors and attendees.
Along with the bustling exhibition floor, the Aiken Antique Show distinguishes itself by offering enticing and exciting presentations. Each year the focus is on making sure they have an informative and unique set of sessions. The first session on Friday is presented by Mimi Bremer Woodruff and Sara Summerour who are silver experts from Beverly Bremer Silver Shop. These talented ladies draw from their lifetime experience and educate attendees on various topics including starting a silver collection, cleaning silver and elevating the use of silver in the home. The second session is hosted by Kirkland Moore who is a Landscape Architect and Garden Historian as well as the owner of Oakleaf. His session explores how to bring springtime indoors and explore the details of old-time gardens. These sessions not only enrich the visitor experience but also contribute to the show’s broader mission of fostering an appreciation of art and history through the Aiken Center of the Arts.
The grandeur of the Aiken Antique Show is kicked off on Thursday with the glamorous preview party, Cocktails and Collectors, a highly anticipated event that sets the stage for the weekend ahead. The party serves as a preview of the treasures awaiting attendees on the show floor, creating a buzz of excitement within the community. Attendees have an opportunity to mingle with dealers, artists and fellow enthusiasts. In addition to the preview party, volunteers provide an exquisite lunch each day of the show at their Collectors Café and host a delectable brunch featuring a bloody mary bar on Sunday ensuring every attendee has a spectacular experience to remember.
The goal of all of this meticulous planning is to continue to help fund and support the Aiken Center for the Arts, and the efforts of Castles, Smoak, and Gwinn, along with the help from more than 200 volunteers, are pivotal in raising these critical funds for the arts center. This funding allows the art center to nurture and inspire the creativity of artists of all ages and skill levels and allows their work to thrive and continue to intrigue the Aiken community.