Newport Antiques Show, Needlework Samplers to be Exhibited at St. George's

As many of the summer festivals and parties celebrating today's music, food, and leisurely pursuits start winding down, this weekend's highly anticipated shifts gears a bit to welcome antique collectors from across the country and to celebrate New England's rich history.

Now in its fifth year, the Newport Antiques Show returns to the Stephen P. Cabot and Archer Harman Ice Center at this weekend, beginning Friday night with a Preview Gala, followed by General Admission Saturday and Sunday.

The event has evolved into a favorite event among antique dealers, historians, and collectors from across the United States, drawing interest and media from as far south as Florida and west as California.

More than 40 antiquities dealers are listed as exhibitors this year and each year the event draws about 2,500 visitors, according to organizers.

Proceeds from the Newport Antiques Show benefit The Newport Historical Society and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County.

The goal this year is to raise $1 million, according to organizers.

Friday Preview

A special preview reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday night to give guests a less crowded and more relaxed opportunity to browse this year's offerings, as well as another opportunity to give to the area charities.

Tickets for the preview event range from $100 to $500 and include unlimited entry to the weekend show.

Saturday and Sunday

The Antiques Show itself takes place Saturday, Aug. 14th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sunday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General admission tickets are $12 per person for one-day admission.

Loan Exhibit Presentation

On Saturday beginning at 11 a.m., Dr. Margaret Ordonez, Professor in the Textiles Department at the University of Rhode Island, will discuss the components of 17th through 19th century needlework samplers.

The loan exhibit on display will showcase a selection of 18th and early 19th century local samplers, from the Newport Historical Society’s collections, according to the Society website. Event organizers describe the exhibit as reflecting “the evolution of Newport needlework over the course of a century and includes examples of the different types of samplers that a girl might produce during her lifetime.”

At the time, most decorative samplers incorporated ornate designs and were made in academies for young women, where pupils learned needlework along with reading, arithmetic, painting, and music, according to the website.

The lecture will address how time, methods of mounting, and uses have affected the samplers’ conditions. Dr. Ordonez also plans to offer advice on storing and displaying samplers in homes, museums, and historic houses.

General information

• Read more about dealer highlights this year and see photos from some of the collections in the image gallery above.
• The will be held at , 372 Purgatory Road, Middletown, RI 02842.
• General admission tickets cost $12 per person and allow admission for one day.
• The show's will be held Friday, Aug. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets range from $100-$500, include unlimited weekend show access, and portions of the ticket price are tax deductible.
• All proceeds benefit The Newport Historical Society and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County.
• For more information, please call (401) 846-2669 or visit the event website.
• Click here for a complete list of 2011 exhibitors.