Highlights of the Debut of Naples International Art and Antique Fair Announced

NAPLES, FL.- International Fine Art Expositions (IFAE), organizers of the debut Naples International Art and Antique Fair (NIAAF), released highlights for the upcoming event, which will be held February 24 – March 1, 2011 at the spectacular new Naples International Pavilion on Immokalee Road.

The premier Fair will gather 60-70 carefully selected prestigious art, antique, and jewelry dealers of the highest caliber from around the world to Southwest Florida for the first time. A full schedule of daily activities will coincide with the exhibitions including informative lectures from respected museum curators and art experts as well as collector panel discussions, assuring the debut fair will be the cultural event of the Naples season.

The Collector Preview Gala on February 24th will be an event to benefit the Naples Philharmonic Center for the Arts and the Naples Museum of Art. The non-profit Center, founded by Chairman and CEO Myra Janco Daniels in the mid-1980s, is a cultural destination in Southwest Florida, home to the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, performing arts shows and the Naples Museum of Art. The museum will provide special tours to coincide with the event.

Naples International Art & Antique Fair has been designed to continue the high standard of other IFAE fairs in Palm Beach, Miami, and London. Gathering a diverse assembly of some of the world’s most prestigious and respected galleries, the Fair will feature fine art and antiques from all periods, object d’ art, estate and fine contemporary jewelry, modern design and paintings from 17th century to contemporary 21st century paintings.

Among the distinguished jewelry exhibitors at the fair will be Graff Diamonds, London (UK); Sabbadini, Milan (Italy); Yvel, Jerusalem (Israel); Michael Haber, Wynnewood (USA); J.S. Fearnley, Atlanta (USA); Jewels by Viggi, Greenwich (USA); and Scavia, Milan (Italy).

Graff Diamonds has long been considered one of the most prestigious jewelers in the world, known for the unsurpassed quality, rarity, beauty, and excellence of their renowned collection. At the February fair we will get a glimpse of this outstanding collection with an exhibit including over 500 million dollars worth of gemstone quality diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and the world’s finest colored diamonds. Recently Graff Diamonds purchased a 44 million dollar pink diamond, the record price ever paid for a gemstone.

Yvel has become one of the leading pearl designers of the new millennium. Their unique and fashionable designs, which can be seen all over the red carpet, have bridged the gap between the ages and brought forth sophisticated, classic styles with a dash of sensuality, making them perfect pieces for any age.

Naples International Art & Antique Fair will bring some of the most esteemed antique dealers in the world, exhibiting furniture, sculpture, textile, lighting, porcelain and paintings from the 19th and 20th century masters; among them include 19th Century Shop, Stevenson (USA); Toulouse Antique Gallery, Manhattan Beach (USA); Harmon-Meek Gallery, Naples (USA); A.B. Levy Antiques, Palm Beach (USA); The Silver Fund, London (UK); Michael James Fine Art, London (UK); and Gallery Afrodit, Ankara (Turkey).

A historically significant portrait of President Abraham Lincoln will be presented by the 19th Century Shop. This portrait was the first presidential portrait of Lincoln, inscribed by Lincoln to Fanny Speed, the wife of his most intimate friend, Joshua Speed. This portrait is considered one of the most valuable Lincoln photos in existence. Also among the gallery’s highlights is a photographic view of Sherman’s campaign by George Barnard. Taken in 1866 this photo is part of Barnard’s Photographic Views, one of the rarest and most sought-after Civil War photographic collections.

Toulouse Antique Gallery will exhibit an exceptional array of antiques from the 19th century including works by Alexander Cabanel, one of history’s most celebrated academic artists.

Harmon-Meek Gallery, who will be celebrating its 48th season in Naples, will be among the exhibitors at NIAAF. The Gallery will present a major exhibition on the American master, Adolf Dehn (1895-1968). Although known first as an “American Regionalist” painter and printmaker, Dehn spent much of his career in New York City, which will be the theme of the exhibit, along with some rare images of Florida. Dehn has works in over seventy museums and holds the record for invitations into the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Annual and Biennial Exhibitions.

A.B. Levy’s exclusive selection of originals is unparalleled. They specialize in the world’s finest antiques including, collections of 19th Century French furniture, rare art glass by Tiffany, Rene Lalique, Galle, and Daum as well as objets d’art from the Japanese Meiji Period, also Chinese ivory, jade, porcelain and snuff bottles, 19th Century German, French and English porcelain and beautiful 19th century paintings.

Never before has there been a fair of this caliber in Southwest Florida. The Naples Art & Antique Fair will bring the opportunity for local residents and art enthusiast to admire artwork from some of the finest galleries in the world for the first time. “It’s a ‘sleeping giant’ art market, with a significant and well-attended museum that’s a major community force, commented Robert Fishko, Forum Gallery. Naples has been waiting for a fair like this”.