Starting Conversations

The Washington Winter Show encourages a new generation of art and antique collectors

The Washington Winter Show celebrated its 69th anniversary from January 12 to 14. The second oldest antique show in the United States, the annual show brought in more than 6,000 attendees from across the country to explore fine art and antiques all centered around the theme of the joy of collecting.

Visitors explore artwork during the 2024 Washington Winter Show.

On Saturday, January 13, was the design panel, “Where Beauty Meets Joy,” headlined by style luminaries India Hicks, Celerie Kemble, Joy Moyler and Alex Papachristidis. Noted garden designer Chip Callaway moderated the Sunday lecture “Planting the Seeds of Restoration,” with Sir Peter Crane, president of Oak Spring Garden Foundation, and Dean Norton, director of Horticulture at Mount Vernon.

A view of the showroom.

“The show was very well-attended and busy the entire time,” says Karen DiSaia, show manager. “[There was] an amazing variety of material—everything from early Asian to mid-century American and European [art], from paintings to garden art and Americana to jewelry. From French and English Furniture to great American masterpieces. Many great things sold both at the show and after it.”

Dealers and collectors chat about the artwork on display.

DiSaia adds that the Washington Winter Show has spent considerable effort developing the next generation of people who want to view art and antiques in person as well as acquire them for their own collections. “We have also tried to promote all of the great stories the objects in the show tell and to capture the interest of younger people by relaying those tales. We encourage the conversations that might capture the interest of anyone who might attend.”As they perused the artwork, this year’s Washington Winter Show asked visitors the question, “What brings you joy?”

“One major point of note [at the 2024 show was] our children’s program,” says Jonathan G. Willen, executive director of the Washington Winter Show. “This year we had 65 youngsters ages 8 to 13 come in on Sunday. They were given a brief discussion on Hallmarks and collecting by our silver dealer and then spent 30 minutes [exploring the show]. Following [that], we had an ice cream sundaes bar…We started ‘Sundaes on Sunday’ back in 2014. It’s been a huge success and many of the participants come back year to year. Quite a success for introducing a much younger generation to the importance and longevity of antiques and collectibles.”