The holidays have come and gone, Christmas trees are lying in trash piles on the side of the road having fulfilled their Christmas destiny and will be now turned into mulch to fulfill their Spring destiny, which is a loose term down here in South Florida (currently we are at 82F here in Coral Gables). Snowbirds are flocking for their winter homes (which means more traffic for us locals). In less than two weeks the "season" as we like to call it around here at Estate Services Appraisals and Modernism Gallery, will be in full swing with the start of the 2015 installment of Art Deco Weekend!
Art Deco Weekend has been somewhat the "start" of the South Florida winter for us for as long as I can remember. Back in the 1980s at the height of the Miami Vice and Deco resurgence it became a Miami must-do for anyone visiting in January. We didn't usually exhibt back then, as we were usually busy preparing for the Miami Modernism show which was the following, or sometimes the same, weekend.
When I was working at Books & Books in 2009, as their off-site events coordinator, I had to run the booth on 11th and Ocean selling that years best design and art deco books. Iza and I, along with many of my co-workers, spent three days schlepping and selling. In 2010, I left the bookstore to become a full-time appraiser. The following year we were contacted by the Miami Design Preservation League (MDPL) to set up an Art Deco Exhibit inside the Welcome Center in 2011 and which we repeated in the 2012 & 2013 Art Deco Weekends.
In 2014, we were given the opportunity to set up a multiple dealer exhibit through MODERNISM.COM, where we set up in two tents on the sand at 11th & Ocean. We were joined by the Original Miami Beach Antique Show to create the Antique Experience. Ric and I also did an "Appraisal Day" to raise funds for the MDPL. It was a fantastic weekend full of a lot of activity. The 2015 line-up (full schedule is on the website to which I've added a link above.) looks like it will not lack for great finds, fun times and interesting lectures, one to be given by Ric Emmett on Sunday January the 18th in the Welcome Center at 3pm which is the unveliling of his first book, American Art Deco Furniture.
We will be set up on the Promenade this year, which is on the sand at 12th and Ocean, selling books, collectibles and many art deco goodies. Should you find yourself in the Miami area from the 16th - 18th come on by. As a former "Swing Kid", I am very much looking forward to the activities they have scheduled for entertainment this year. Friday night for the opening the Lindy Collective will be featuring "Swingsomnia" from 8-11pm and then a Dance Off will be held on Saturday afternoon from 3pm - 6pm sponsored by Art Deco Napier. Also tons of live music and street performers. There is truly something for everyone.
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