TREASURE TROVE

About this time each year, North Shore residents survey their wall space and furniture layouts, dreaming up perfect placement for the antiques, artworks. and accessories they hope to buy at Winnetka’s Antiques + Modernism (A+M) Show. Now in its 52nd year, the show—hosted by the Winnetka Community House Woman’s Board—kicks off with a Preview Party on Thursday November 7, and runs through the weekend of November 8 to 10.

With more than 40 dealers and a wide-ranging selection of everything from furniture and folk art to vintage clothing, jewelry, and rugs, the show is a muchanticipated treasure trove.

This year, those interested in expert insight will want to sign-up for the special, “Shop the Show” tour with nationally renowned dealer/appraiser J. Michael Flanigan of PBS television’s Antiques Roadshow fame. Tickets are $50 for this 9 a.m. Friday tour include 3-day admission to the show.

While many dealers have been participating in the A+M show for years, the list of dealers constantly evolves.

“And this year, we have several new dealers, which is especially exciting,” explains ” says Kathryn Kish, this year’s show chairwoman.

Among them are muralist and portrait painter Sam DeCarlo; Ohio-based Greenwald Antiques; and Barley Twist Antiques, of LaPorte, Indiana, which specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and Continental furniture and accessories, with some English mid-century modern in the mix.

For Kish, chairing the A+M Show is a welcome next step in her progression of involvement with the Winnetka Community House, a 501(c)3 organization providing recreational, arts, and educational programming to people of all ages. Proceeds from the show benefit Community House programs.

“The show has been my favorite fundraiser since I started serving on the Board,” says Kish. “It’s fascinating to see all the treasures at the Show and watch the excitement of the shoppers.”

Kish’s first exposure to the Community House was through the 4th birthday party she hosted there for her son Nick 22 years ago.

“I was so impressed with what the Community House offered, and its welcoming, community feel, that I had to get involved,” says Kish.

That opportunity opened when her son began performing with Community House’s Children’s Hour theater group. Kish’s long-time love of garment and fashion design plus her degree in finance led her to seven years assisting with costume selection/design and serving as treasurer for the group. Once her son graduated out of The Children’s Hour, Kish stepped up to the Woman’s Board, serving as Treasurer for nine years. She then co-chaired the 2023 A+M Show.

Explaining her decision to chair the event, Kish says serving as treasurer gave her a solid understanding of how the show is managed. But beyond that, “I just fell in love with the historical aspect of A+M,” says Kish, “and how the Community House is transformed to show off the beauty of the building. It’s a great opportunity for folks who raised their kids at the Community House but haven’t been back for a while, to revisit their fond memories. And of course, for them to find one-of-a-kind pieces at the show they won’t easily find elsewhere.”

Because there is so much to view, Kish encourages attendance to more than one day of the show, “just to make sure you don’t miss anything!” She says it’s also a good idea to buy tickets early ($15 in advance and $20 at the door; one ticket good for all three days)—especially for the preview party, which sells out quickly.

For more information and tickets to the 2024 Antiques + Modernism Show, visit thewinnetkashow.com.