Every January, an extraordinary event brings art lovers together in New York: the Winter Show. In the majestic ambiance of the Park Avenue Armory, this show becomes a veritable gallery of emotions, where each piece on display tells a unique story woven from dreams and memories. Imagine strolling through the vast halls, surrounded by the murmur of centuries, the soft glow of precious gems, and the vibrant hues of antique canvases. Each exhibitor invites you to explore a world where time seems to be suspended.
The Winter Show was founded in 1954 as The Winter Antiques Show with the intention of creating a platform where antiques dealers could exhibit and sell their treasures to the general public. At the time, there was no major antiques event in New York, and the Winter Show quickly filled the void, attracting collectors, art lovers and the curious. Early editions of the fair focused on fine art and antiques, ranging from furniture to decorative arts. The event was well received and quickly established its reputation as a must-see destination for art enthusiasts.
Each year, the Winter Show is held at the Park Avenue Armory, an iconic building in the heart of Manhattan. The Armory was originally built by the prestigious Seventh Regiment of the New York State National Guard, the first volunteer militia to answer President Lincoln’s call in 1861. Members of the “Silk Stocking” Regiment included the most prominent families of New York’s Gilded Age, including the Vanderbilts, Van Rensselaers, Roosevelts, Stewarts, Livingstons, and Harrimans. Built as both a military installation and a social club, the first floor reception rooms and second floor meeting rooms were designed by the most prominent designers and artists of the period, including Louis Comfort Tiffany, Stanford White, the Herter Brothers, and Pottier & Stymus. The exercise room, where the salon is held, remains one of the largest open spaces of its kind in New York.
With its vast interior spaces, the Park Avenue Armory has been transformed into a multi-purpose venue hosting a variety of cultural and artistic events. The choice of the Park Avenue Armory for the Winter Show is no small one. With its fascinating history and spectacular architecture, it offers the ideal setting for this prestigious event. Every year, the Winter Show transforms this space into a veritable temple of art and antiquity, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a unique experience where history, culture and creativity meet.
Over the decades, the Winter Show has evolved with trends in the art market. In the 1970s, the show broadened its scope to include modern and contemporary works, while maintaining a strong focus on antiques. This diversification made it possible to meet the varied tastes of collectors and adapt to changing artistic trends. In the 1980s, the Winter Show underwent a significant revival, reinforcing its status as a prestigious event. The organizers decided to establish stricter selection criteria for exhibitors, guaranteeing a high level of quality. This attracted renowned dealers and ensured that only authentic, top-quality pieces were presented. In 2024, the Winter Show celebrated its 70th anniversary, reinforcing its status as an institution in the art world. This edition featured renowned exhibitors, a diverse range of pieces from antiques to contemporary works, and continued its emphasis on education and community engagement. The organizers also introduced interactive elements to attract a new generation of collectors and art lovers.
Indeed, The Winter Show has set itself an ambitious mission : to awaken the interest of younger generations in art, history and heritage by encouraging the emergence of new collectors. This commitment is particularly evident at Young Collectors Night, an evening specially designed to attract a younger audience, eager to discover art and sensitive to cultural heritage. Now a fixture on the New York art scene, the evening transforms the Winter Show into a meeting place for a new wave of enthusiasts. Young collectors from fields as diverse as art, fashion, design and entrepreneurship come together around a common vision: that of art that is passed on and reinvented. Far from being just a social event, Young Collectors Night is a gateway into the world of collecting. This initiative aims to educate and inspire, by introducing visitors to remarkable works of art and objects, while demystifying the world of collecting.
The Winter Show aims to build a community of young collectors by offering them unique opportunities to deepen their knowledge and network with experts.
Beyond the galleries and stands, The Winter Show offers a captivating program of conferences, designed to enrich visitors’ experience and deepen their knowledge in a variety of fields. These conferences bring together experts, historians, curators and collectors, who share their perspectives on themes ranging from art history to contemporary trends in collecting. The lectures offer visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in specialist subjects and to learn about sometimes little-known aspects of the world of art and antiques. Whether you’re a novice collector or an expert, each session is designed to offer fresh perspectives and spark curiosity.
The cultural program also includes the “Expert Eye” series, offering a close examination of unique pieces selected by exhibitors. Under the sharp eye of specialists, every detail is brought to light, from manufacturing techniques to the singular history of each object. It’s a fascinating plunge into the heart of exceptional craftsmanship and art history, enabling visitors to better understand the treasures on display.
Through this carefully conceived program of conferences, The Winter Show asserts itself as a place of intellectual exchange where art enthusiasts can feed their curiosity and develop a deeper, more nuanced vision of their passion. Whether to discover, deepen or simply be inspired, these conferences offer an unforgettable experience, adding an intellectual and educational dimension to a visit to the show.
The Winter Show is not only a show dedicated to works of art and antiques, it’s also a showcase for a precious selection of rare and refined jewelry. The jewelry exhibitors at The Winter Show are carefully selected for their expertise and the quality of their collections. Each with his or her own style and specialty contributes to making this event a true temple of jewelry. Visitors, whether seasoned collectors or art enthusiasts, will find in this selection of jewelry a captivating array of rare and precious pieces that testify to the rich history of jewelry. See also the list of exhibitors specializing in jewelry in this article.
