32nd Annual Heart of Country Antiques Show

Join the fun at the famous Heart of Country Antiques Show, “The Grand-daddy of Antiques Shows”, Feb. 14-16, 2013 at the legendary Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, as it celebrates 32 fabulous years presenting paintings, folk art, furniture, decorative arts, toys, signs, ceramics, silver, jewelry, Civil War, nautical, historical Americana, quilts, and everything in between, all for sale from America’s finest dealers.

It’s a once-a-year trek to the heart of the country for an amazing gathering of antiques and antiques lovers. Events include the Opening Night Preview Party opening sale on Thursday night, Friday morning’s popular walking tour with expert collector guides, free informative lectures and special exhibits to inspire new and seasoned collectors alike, plus visit with decorators, authors, and experts on hand to share their expertise. The award-winning Opryland Hotel restaurants are open for lunch Friday and Saturday and free parking is available.

The Southern Buffet Preview is the first opportunity to shop the show and opens Thursday, Feb. 14, 6-9 p.m. Advance ticket price of $60 ($65 at the door) includes a glass of champagne, the best southern buffet ever, live country music, and shopping a wide selection of antiques and decorative arts offered for sale by 80 friendly and knowledgeable “Heart of Country” dealers who bring their best to this show every year. Ticket includes re-entry and daily lectures through Saturday. General show dates are Friday, Feb. 15, 10-8 p.m. & Saturday, Feb. 16, 10-5 p.m, and a daily ticket is $10 or two-day pass is $15 and includes daily lectures.

This year’s Showcase Gallery Booth is called, All Creatures Great and Small; A Heart of Country Peaceable Kingdom. America’s affection for Puff, Spot, Black Beauty & Old Bessie have led both trained and untrained artists to immortalize these creatures throughout America’s decorative arts history. This stunning “center aisle” booth will be filled to the brim with selected items from all of the exhibiting dealers and available for purchase. This special presentation will highlight some of the finest examples of this enduring love affair with the whimsical and wild, feathered and furry as depicted in folk art, paintings, textiles, hooked rugs, decoy form, and all manner of antiques.

The following daily lectures are free with admission. Friday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. For the Love of “Old” – The More Wear and Patina, the Better! Barb Conner, antiques writer and owner of Simply Iowa Antiques, will explore why we love “old” things so much and what to do about it. Saturday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. Speaking From the Heart – Annual Dealer Panel. This forum allows novice buyers and seasoned collectors alike to gain rare in-depth educational information about what to look for at a quality antiques show, steps to building a meaningful collection in today’s market, how to invest wisely and find the best value in purchasing genuine antiques.

Friday Morning’s Popular Pre-Show Walking Tour at 8:30 a.m. is a unique journey through the show before it opens with one of several esteemed collectors. Perfect for new collectors and seasoned collectors alike and tickets $25 each at the show.

This show is only once a year and is worth the trip, attracting visitors from across America who enjoy the special exhibits, talks, and shopping a wide selection of antiques and decorative arts from museum quality pieces to unseen finds of every price range that emerge at Heart of Country. This show continues to be the secret source for museum curators and everyday antique enthusiasts who come together to mingle, browse, shop, and discover fascinating finds at America’s favorite antiques show! Nashville will be a bustling mecca for antique lovers this February as dealers and buyers converge from all across the country to show and shop at the Heart of Country Antiques Show.

Susan Kramer Hunkins, daughter of show founders Libby and Dick Kramer, has steered the show for the past five years and is often asked what is the most popular genre at the show. “Everything is popular at Heart of Country – truly!! We try to present a broad range of dealers whose specialties complement each other and represent authentic Americana in all of its forms. An ever-popular type of antique that always sells well at the show would be American country pieces with original painted surfaces whether it is on furniture, baskets, decoys, game boards, toys, tin, or folk art. People love to see the “hand” of the craftsman as reflected on the decoration of a special piece. That brings a piece to life and shows the heart and often the whimsey of its creator! In terms of popularity, the second runner up would be folk art, especially animal related such as early american weathervanes and hooked rugs. And third, would be patriotic Americana, especially featuring the stars and stripes of our American flag!”

Heart of Country show-goers love to kick up their heels in Nashville! Nashville’s famous Gaylord Opryland Hotel spans 16 acres of lodging and indoor gardens to create a southern destination experience that never disappoints. Staying at the Opryland Hotel and walking indoors to the show is a great way to spend a southern getaway in the middle of February. The Nashville international airport is only 10 minutes away.

For show information or advance ticket purchase visit www.heartofcountry.com or contact Susan Kramer Hunkins at susan@heartofcountry.com or 314-962-8580. To reserve the special Heart of Country rate of $189 at Gaylord Opryland Hotel call 800-947-8243 or make reservations online at www.heartofcountry.com.