By JUDY SHERIDAN
Aledo resident Jan Orr-Harter lives in the A.J. Hood Pioneer Home in Aledo surrounded by antiques. She loves the quality that allows antiques to stand the test of time, their recyclability and the history they represent.
As owner and director of the 50th annual Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art, set for March 8-9 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, Orr-Harter is excited about the fact that antiques from across the U.S. as well as other countries are headed to Cowtown.
“We want this to be fun,” she said. “A good antique show is big, diverse and fun. There will be 115 dealers, and each will have an environment they’ve created, so people will get a lot of ideas on how to use their antiques.”
Because it’s the show’s 50th anniversary — it’s been known as the Dolly Johnson Antique Show since 1963 — the theme is gold: Italian gilt, faux gold post-Civil War tramp art, harvest gold from the ’70s, golden books, golden oldies.
There may even be a 1968 Golden Nugget Limited Edition Mustang, she said, though that was still in the air at presstime.
Will Rogers might be on hand Saturday as well, with a repertoire of rope tricks.
The antique and antique art show will feature an eclectic mix of items — from jewelry to furniture — and styles, including American, English, Industrial, Traditional, Retro, Western, Native American, Repurposed, Garden and Mid-Century Modern.
“Every style is hot right now,” Orr-Harter said, “People like what they like; it’s more personal.”
Colors, however, appear to be trending toward neutrals, she said, with the demand high for blacks, greys, whites and metals, a nod to the industrial antique-look made popular by Restoration Hardware.
“But antiques are true pieces that actually have that history,” she said, “and we live in an era where we are concerned about being more green and responsible for the planet.”
Orr-Harter said repurposing antiques — like turning a refrigerator into a liquor cabinet — has become more popular.
She said her show has evolved to cater to a younger generation, which is putting function first.
“They buy tables, chairs, storage pieces and mirrors,” she said.
Primitive antiques — pieces made by the first people to use them — are popular, too, she said, because they mix well with a lot of different styles.
Although technically, the legal definition of an antique is an item that is more than 100 years old, she said, the show will feature items from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
“You have to carry what people want,” she said.
The Fort Worth Show of Antiques & Art will be held at Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3400 Burnett-Tandy, in Fort Worth.
Hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 8, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9.
Eastern Parker County’s own Clear Fork Jazz will play for a 4-7 p.m. Happy Hour Friday night, which will include a cash bar, Coburn’s BBQ and cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes in Southlake.
The $7 tickets are good for both days, and if three people carpool to the event, the $8 parking fee will be refunded at the ticket desk.
Children 15 and under are free.
For more information, as well as a $1 off coupon, go to the website at www.FortWorthShow.com.
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