Antique show marks 70 years
Things from the past become the hope for the future. The local chapter of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC), the Intermediate League of Butler, is gearing up for its biggest event of the year. The 70th Antique Show and Sale opens March 20 at Tanglewood and plays host to 42 antique vendors from three states.
“It is our 70th year for the show. Not many in the U.S.A. can claim that longevity,” said Grace Shields, publicity chairman of the sale.
“Kris Bearer is the chairman of the show following in her late mother, Janet Hofer's, footsteps who was a longtime, very respected business manager for our show,” Shields said.
Several key aspects of the show will be tweaked to recognize the anniversary.
“We will be having a special gala on Friday evening to celebrate our 70th anniversary. It will include appetizers and a toast,” said Bearer.
“A history of the antiques show and sale will be on display, along with a history of the organizations that GFWC Intermediate League of Butler has supported over the past 70 years,” she added.
A tribute to the current members and their years of service will be presented. “People being celebrated started serving in 1962, that's 58 years!” said Bearer.
The antique show and sale has been raising thousands of dollars annually to benefit organizations in the community.
According to Bearer, and co-chairman Becky Plymale, the 2019 show realized an increase of several thousand dollars. A total of $12,250 was dispersed last year. Show attendance has been fairly even, averaging about 1,200 during the three-day show.
Criteria for receiving funds are that the organizations must be nonprofits that benefit the community.
Recipients of the 2020 proceeds will include: the ARC of Butler County, Butler Area Public Library, Butler County Community College, Butler County Symphony Orchestra, Butler Little Theater, Butler Meals on Wheels, Community Care Connections, Fishbone Ministries, Kid's Weekend Backpack Program, the Maridon Museum, the Musical Theater Guild, Robin's Home, Tanglewood Senior Center, VOICe and the YWCA.
“The quilt pattern for the annual quilt auction is a variation of the Dresden plate pattern. The background is cream-colored, and one of the dominant colors is royal blue,” said Pat Montag, chairman of the quilt committee. Tickets are $1, and the winner will be selected at the end of the show at 4 p.m. March 22.
The antiques show and sale attracts vendors from around the region. According to business manager chairmen, Judy Neigh and Anabel Brunermer, two new dealers will make their debut at the show this year, Lisa and Steve Danko who have a shop in northeast Pennsylvania and Jeff Wasylychyn from East Liverpool, Ohio.
Mary Lee and David Snuffer of Bedford-on-the-Square Antiques in Pittsburgh will bring their knowledge and a variety of lovely pieces to the show.
Snuffer retired from education with a master's degree in fine arts and Mary Lee Snuffer from United Airlines.“We have been in the antique business since 1982 and are presently at Mahla's Antiques & Company in the Strip District,” said Mary Lee Snuffer. “We are passionate lovers of all types and periods of antiques. Our offerings include American, European and Continental furniture, paintings, silver, glass bronzes and unique smalls,” she explained.Their collecting journey began with Snuffer's experience and passion, which ignited her interest.“David grew up in a family that had and enjoyed many fine period antiques. Exposure and enlightenment developed my acquired appreciation for antiques,” she said, noting they've been collecting together for 50 years. “One of the first pieces of value that we acquired was a gift from my husband's aunt. It is a museum-quality mirror circa 1870s that is so large it required three people to hang.”While beauty and craftsmanship are inspiring, for Mary Lee Snuffer, it is something different that draws her attention.“Uniqueness captures my attention. Butler is a very traditional area that appreciates primitive, country and Victorian, so we will show beautiful furniture, lamps and some bronze items,” she said.For her, it is not just about collecting but also about knowing the history of the item.“Fortunately, we live in an age where knowledge, information and expertise is at our fingertips with technology and I am very comfortable and enjoy researching our treasures,” she said.One of the featured pieces the Snuffers will bring to the show is a very large carved Italian alabaster figural lamp.“This lamp dates late 1890 and is very indicative of the early Victorian period. Alabaster, also known as satin spar, is a white to off-pale white stone and sometimes confused with marble. Because of the translucent nature of this stone, the use in lamps lends itself to exceptional dramatic light,” explained Mary Lee Snuffer.Their offerings also will include a work by Edmund Darch Lewis of Philadelphia. He was one of the most prolific and commercially successful American landscape painters of the late 19th century.“Edmund Darch Lewis rendered crisply realistic images of shorelines, waterways, and rural scenes in the Northeast that received popular acclaim during his era,” offered Lee.Lewis' art was in high demand from the beginning of his career, and he established a national following. His paintings have gone for $92,500 at auction.The pair encourage new collectors to collect what they love and what stirs their hearts.Offerings by other dealers include: antique Persian carpets, old radios, Aladdin lamps, graphic woven coverlets, Western Pennsylvania stoneware and folk art, Flow Blue and Mulberry china, early American patterned glass, Victorian jewelry with an emphasis on cameos, furniture, German Bisque dolls, vintage photographs, coins and military memorabilia.
WHAT: GFWC Intermediate League of Butler 70th Antique Show and SaleWHEN: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. March 20; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 21; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 22WHERE: Tanglewood, 10 Austin Ave., Lyndora.TICKETS: Available at the door or in advance at Don Paul Jewelers and from Intermediate League members.INFO: Call 724-287-7959 or 724-283-3033
