The Collectors Road Show: Art, Heirlooms and Treasures

Imagine striking it rich and leaving behind your mundane life to live every day carefree. Whether it be buried treasure, winning the lottery or finding a suitcase full of millions of dollars, everyone is familiar with the rags-to-riches story, including the ones featured on PBS’ popular Antiques Roadshow program. If you’ve ever wondered whether the contents of your attic could have you living a life of leisure, you’ll have a chance to find out this May at the Georgia Museum of Art.

On May 11 and 12, the museum will host “The Collectors Road Show: Art, Heirlooms and Treasures,” with numerous appraisal opportunities for both members and non-members.

On May 11, expert appraisers from Bonhams will do formal, in-home valuations for upper-level event sponsors. The museum will then host a Patrons Party that evening, featuring more chances for in-depth appraisals and a silent auction. Patrons Party tickets may be purchased separately from event sponsorship, $100 for non-members and $85 for members.

On May 12, both museum members and the general public can bring items to the museum for informal, verbal appraisal by the Bonhams’ experts. Appointments are $15 for members and $20 for non-members per item. Each additional item will cost $10, with a limit of three items per person. Advance reservations are strongly recommended but not required. Visit bit.ly/collectors-road-show for additional sponsor information, benefits or to register online. The prestigious Bonhams auction house was established in 1793 and is world renowned for its international auction houses, sales and specialists. Bonhams is headquartered in London but has salesrooms in New York and Los Angeles. It specializes in buying and selling in every major area of art, antiques, jewelry and cars.

The event serves as the Collectors’ biennial fundraiser to benefit the museum’s permanent collection. Membership in the Collectors is open to contributing level members (and above). The group raises funds for acquisitions, organizes lectures, visits homes of art enthusiasts and hosts excursions to other cities. Every Collectors event is an opportunity to learn and appreciate art, and the group’s membership has continued to grow.

The Collectors have acquired various works of art that are beloved objects of the permanent collection. Most recently, the Collectors obtained the sculpture bust “Minnehaha” by famed African-American and Chippewa artist Edmonia Lewis, who is considered to be one of the most influential female artists of the 19th century. Other notable works of art that have been acquired by the Collectors include a lithograph after artist Édouard Manet, an engraving from the 1620s and an oil painting of the famed Blue Ridge Mountains by American landscape painter William Sonntag.

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Stephanie Motter

Intern, Department of Communications