Florida Ceramic Art Show & Sale

Online, December 25, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Ceramic art enthusiasts will be flocking to the West Palm Beach Hilton for the Florida Ceramic Art Show & Sale from 27-29 January. Now in its 26th year, the event has grown into the country's largest exhibition of porcelain figurines and art pottery from leading manufacturers of the world's luxury brands. Among the exhibitors are Royal Doulton, Moorcroft and Royal Crown Derby from England, Lladró from Spain and Ardmore from South Africa. Making their debut at this year's show is Waterford Crystal with Philip O'Keefe, a master glass cutter from Ireland, demonstrating at the show.

Keen collectors of ceramic art strive to be first through the doors on Friday night to secure the rarest antiques and collectibles as soon as they go on sale at 7pm during the Opening Night reception. This year there will be a special exhibition of Royal Doulton Figurines 'The Noke Legacy' with exciting discoveries dating back to the 1890s, organized by British author and expert Louise Irvine.

There is an impressive line up of international guests at this year's event. Fee Halsted, the founder of Ardmore Ceramic Art, will be traveling from South Africa to show the latest work of the Zulu men and women whom she has encouraged to become ceramic artists over the last 25 years. Their success at exhibition galleries and private collections around the world has improved life in their deprived rural community in KwaZulu-Natal and Fee was honored last year in New York by Women's Campaign International for the role she has played in uplifting women. Previous honorees of WCI include Hilary Clinton and Joe Biden.

The role that women play in ceramic art today is also being acknowledged by Robert Townsend from the Moorcroft Art Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Their modern design studio comprises five talented women and it is mainly women who decorate the vases in Moorcroft's traditional tube-lining and painting techniques which they have employed since the 1890s.

Lladró from Spain is one of the most world's most famous porcelain houses and they will be showing prestige pieces not normally found in High Street stores, including an amazing pair of Guardian Lions. Lladró's equestrian sculptures will appeal to all the horse lovers in Palm Beach County for the World Dressage Masters the same weekend as the Ceramic Art Show. Another star of the show is Lladró's new Jazz Trio, which ties in with the theme of the Saturday night cocktail reception and dinner party where guests can swing to the sweet sounds of the Arthur Barron jazz trio.

Visitors will be able to watch live artist demonstrations and take part in master-classes presented by ceramic modelers from the British potteries. Andrew Hull from Stoke-on-Trent is well known for his bizarre creatures fashioned out of clay and he will be introducing his new designs and teaching enthusiasts the art of clay modeling.
John Bromley has had a distinguished modeling career going back over 40 years with famous companies such as Royal Doulton. He will be showing his latest work including his stunning portrait of Kate Middleton in her wedding dress and his companion figure of Prince William. He is currently modeling a portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Royal Crown Derby will also be showing their collection of Royal commemoratives celebrating the Diamond Jubilee and the Royal Wedding. The Derby factory dates back to the 1750s when British royalty and aristocracy began dining from their glittering Imari dinner wares. Now they are equally well known for their sculptural paperweight ornaments which were introduced 30 years again and are avidly collected around the world.

The Florida Show is truly a treasure house of ceramic art & collectibles that can't be missed. To find out more, contact Pascoe & Company, the show promoters [email protected] 1-800-872-0195 or 305 326 0060 ext 123