The devastating storms led to the cancellation of a number of events – both auctions and fairs – but many traders are planning to reopen this week.
The Houston Antiques + Art + Design Show, which was to be held at Silver Street Studios on September 15-17, has been rescheduled to April 27-29 due to Hurricane Harvey.
Organiser Dolphin Promotions’ president Rosemary Krieger told ATG: “Although the studios were not badly affected, the area surrounding the building was flooded. We did not think it was a good idea, morally, to bring business to the city when they are going through the clean-up process.”
The Florida area, a key art and antiques region, was hit by Hurricane Irma. Many had no power for a week.
“Although the studios were not flooded, the surrounding area was
A number of auctions in Florida were postponed – including those at Kodner Galleries in Dania Beach and Burchard Galleries in St Petersburg. Most events have been rescheduled for this week, with Kodner’s fine art sale slated for September 13 going ahead on September 26. Fallen trees and debris were an issue, but it was the absence of electricity that made holding a sale impossible.
‘I was prepared’
Florida dealers are now in the process of reopening. Colin Strong Antiques in Naples, on Florida’s west coast, plans to reopen on September 25, having shut up shop for more than a week.
Strong said: “I have been here a long time so I was prepared. I am now going to spend a few days putting the shop back together before opening.”
Palm Beach’s The Silver Fund reopened its showroom on Worth Avenue on September 16. Michael James, owner and founder, said: “We closed for the storm and were without power for many days after. There was huge disruption but thankfully we survived and were very fortunate.”
Scott Diament, president and CEO of The Palm Beach Show Group, who also runs jewellery chain Provident Jewelry, said: “Businesses were closed for a few days but one week out of 52 is not meaningful – particularly in the context of a natural disaster.”
