By Donna Cornelius
Fine antiques remain in style year after year – and so does a much-anticipated event at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Antiques at The Gardens, now in its 12th year, again will bring dealers, lecturers and design experts to the show and sale, set this year for Oct. 5-8. But to keep things lively, it’s added some new elements.
The Red Diamond Lecture Series, always a highlight of the event, features interior designer Amanda Nisbet. Also scheduled to share their stories and ideas are architect Bobby McAlpine, an Alabama native based in New York; Paloma Contreras, a Houston interior designer; and Bryce Vann Brock and Kelly Revel, owners of Vine Garden Market on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
Tastemakers – architects, interior designers and landscape designers – have proved to be popular additions to the event. They’ll curate themed areas with goods chosen from Birmingham and across the country.
This year’s Tastemakers are architects Corbett Scott and Chad Graci, textile designer Mary Catherine Folmar, John Wilson from Golightly Landscape Architecture, Katherine Bramlett from Katherine Bramlett Design, Ashley Gilbreath from Ashley Gilbreath Interior Design, and floral designers Jay Draper and Mark Thompson.
Showgoers can learn more from these design experts at a new event. Meet the Tastemakers, which includes lunch, will be at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 6.
Southern Sunday also debuts on Oct. 8 at Antiques at The Gardens. It includes a chat with Atlanta-based designer Beth Webb and Birmingham architect Jeffrey Dungan at 11:30 a.m. and a conversation with architects Chris Tippett and McAlpine at 1 p.m.
Dealers who will bring furniture, porcelain, fine art, silver, garden accessories and jewelry to the show include Antique Cupboard, Artifacts, Bedford on the Square, Beverly McNeil Gallery, Black Sheep Antiques, Blackwell Botanicals, Caroline Faison Antiques, Dana Kelly Oriental Rugs, Edwin C. Skinner Antiques, Embellish Antiques, George Getlik Fine Art, D.R. Grissom Collection Estate and Fine Jewelry, Gum Tree Farm Design, Hedgerow Antiques, Lolo French Antiques et More, McDonough Fine Art, Pryor Fine Art, Sherwood Antiques, Somerset Antiques, Thomas M. Fortner Antiques and Whitehall Antiques.
Taste in Spades returns with six events, including a panel discussion and lunch.
Longtime BBG supporters Dr. Tommy Amason and his wife, Yates Amason, are the show honorees and will be recognized at Gala in the Gardens, a black-tie preview party on Oct. 5.
This year’s Antiques at The Gardens chairmen are Joy Grenier and Kathleen Roth. Richard Keith Langham is the show ambassador.
The event’s advisory board includes chairman Emily Bowron, Jeanie Sherlock, Maggie Brooke, Elizabeth Broughton, Ragan Cain, Cameron Crowe, Katie Baker Lasker, Cathy Luckie, Tricia Noble, Kim Rogers, Margot Shaw and Leah McKinney Taylor.
Ulterior Motives
Antiques at The Gardens provides lots of opportunities to learn – and not just through the events at the show. It supports educational programs hosted by Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens and since 2006 has raised more than $3 million for The Gardens.
More than 10,000 schoolchildren annually participate in the BBG’s free science curriculum-based field trips.
Last year, USA Today named Birmingham Botanical Gardens one of the top three free attractions in the United States. It’s open daily and attracts more than 350,000 visitors each year.
While some Antiques at The Gardens events are individually priced, general admission to the public show is $15. To buy tickets or for more information, visit bbgardens.org/antiques or call 414-3950. You also can follow the event on Facebook and Twitter.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is at 2612 Lane Park Road in Birmingham. ❖
Antiques at The Gardens: What’s Happening When
Thursday, Oct. 5
10:30 a.m.: Tastebuds featuring Rebecca Vizard, Kinsey Marable and Elizabeth Adams. Tickets are $30 and include lunch.
7-11 p.m.: Gala in The Gardens, a black-tie preview of the show with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and music by Rhythm Nation. Tickets are $175 per person and include readmission to the show.
Friday, Oct. 6
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Public show.
10:30 a.m.: Red Diamond Lecture Series featuring interior designer Amanda Nisbet. Tickets are $40. Nisbet will sign copies of her book, “Dazzling Design,” at the Richard Keith Langham reception after the lecture.
12:30 p.m.: Meet the Tastemakers. Tickets are $30 and include lunch.
Saturday, Oct. 7
9 a.m.: Shop the Show with Paloma Contreras. Tickets are limited.
10 a.m.-5 p.m: Public show.
Taste in Spades events:
10 a.m.: Vine Garden Market. Free with general admission.
11:30 a.m.: “Designing Women,” a panel discussion featuring Vine Garden Market, Charlotte Lucas, Liz Carroll and
Paloma Contreras. Moderated by Karen Carroll of Flower magazine. Tickets
are $35 and include lunch and show admission.
1 p.m.: Charlotte Lucas and Liz Carroll, “Southern Sophistication.” A sip-and- shop pop-up shop will follow. Free with general admission.
2 p.m.: Paloma Contreras, “A Modern Take on Traditional Style.” Free with general admission.
3 p.m.: Barbara Westbrook, “The Art of Gracious Living.” A book signing follows. Free with general admission.
Sunday, Oct. 8
11 a.m.- 4 p.m.: Public show.
Southern Sunday events:
11:30 a.m.: Chat with Beth Webb and Jeffrey Dungan. A book signing by Webb follows. Free with general admission.
1 p.m.: Conversation with Bobby McAlpine and Chris Tippett. A book signing by McAlpine follows. Free with general admission.
While some Antiques at The Gardens events are individually priced, general admission to the public show is $15. To buy tickets or for more information, visit bbgardens. org/antiques or call 414-3950. You also can follow the event on Facebook and Twitter.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is at 2612 Lane Park Road in Birmingham. ❖
