Market Runup — News of Upcoming Shows

By Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/24/2008 11:42:00 AM

Gift For Life Party To Feature Super Bowl Viewing
New York — Football fans in the gift industry need not worry about missing the Super Bowl in order to attend Gift for Life’s annual fundraiser held during the New York International Gift Fair. Super Bowl viewing will be available at the party, to be held Sunday, February 3, at Strata, 915 Broadway at 21st St. in New York. The mezzanine level of the party will feature Super Bowl viewing, so that party-goers may enjoy both the biggest industry fundraiser of the year as well as the biggest football game of the year.

The 16th Annual Gift for Life Party, one of the industry’s most prestigious and fun-filled events, will honor Paulette Cole of ABC Carpet and Home, who will be presented with the Outstanding Industry Contribution Award; Sheila Charton of Merchandise Mart Properties (MMPI), who will be honored with the Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award; and Will Little of George Little Management, who will receive the Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Shuttles will be available from both the Javits Center and 7W building beginning at 6 p.m. Festivities will include a gourmet buffet dinner, cocktails, entertainment, silent and live auctions, and much more. A special performance by Sutton Foster, the Tony Award winning singer-actress currently starring in Young Frankenstein, will be the evening’s entertainment highlight; additional music for the evening will be provided by DJ Johnny Dynell.

Tickets can be purchased in advance through Gift for Life or at the Gift for Life booth at the Javits Center or at the event. Prices start at $150 for an individual. Proceeds from the event benefit amfAR. For more information, contact David Yu, 212.806.1615, or at david.yu@amfar.org or visit www.giftforlife.org.

Baltimore Craft Show to Feature New Wave Artists
New York — The American Craft Council will welcome some members of the New Wave Craft community (artists typically labeled “indie” as they usually exhibit and sell their work at small local craft shows) as exhibitors at The American Craft Show, to be held in Baltimore, February 22–24.

The Council invited some 300 artists of the national New Wave Craft community to apply to exhibit in a special section of the juried show. Fifteen artists were chosen out of the 100 who applied. Their handmade items are varied and include lampshades made out of cocktail umbrellas, as well as colorful adult and children’s clothing made out of vintage and reclaimed fabrics such as sheets, drapes, table linens, and lace; and jewelry incorporating Barbie parts.

For more information, visit: www.craftcouncil.org/baltimore.

Artexpo New York Marks 30 Years
New York — Artexpo New York will celebrate its 30th anniversary as one of the largest fine and popular art fair during its run at the Javits Center, February 28–March 3. The show is open to the trade only on its first two days, after which it is open to the public. Trade buyers and art enthusiasts can expect to find artwork ranging from the traditional to the cutting-edge, including original paintings, sculptures, limited edition lithographs, giclees, animation art, photography and more. The 2008 show will also have an expanded selection of international art available, showcasing the latest trends in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Highlights of the show include the unveiling of the official art of the U.S. Olympic team for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics (Saturday, March 1); an expanded seminar series; a special appearance of Alexandre Renoir, great grandson of famous French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir; celebrity art by Ron Wood, Grace Slick, Jane Seymour (including her Waltzing Canvas created during her appearance on “Dancing With the Stars”) and others. For more information visit www.artexpos.com.

Ireland Show Returns
Secaucus, NJ — More than 200 manufacturers from Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England will participate in The Ireland Show, running April 19–22 at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Buyers can expect to find a range of merchandise including jewelry, general giftware, apparel, gourmet, fine art, tableware, leather goods, stationery, music, crystal, religious goods, collectibles, rugs and much more. 

Among the featured exhibitors are Abbey Press, Avoca Handweavers, Bewley Irish Imports, Blarney Stone Enterprises, Branigan Weavers, Cathedral Art Metal, Celtic Fashions, Dara Records, Fado Jewelry, Fragrances of Ireland, Galway Irish Crystal, Mullingar Pewter, Philip Gray Fine Art, Solvar Jewelry, Tipperary Crystal and Wales Tartan Centre. The show will also offer retailer oriented seminars to be held at 8:30 a.m. on April 21 and 22, and complimentary buffet dinners and concerts will be held on Sunday and Tuesday starting at 6 p.m. 

With every order placed, retailers are given a ticket to win cash and prizes including trips to Ireland and a store of merchandise. For more information, visit the Ireland Show's website.