Dealers play role in popularity of antiques show

Today is the last day to find treasures from the past.

The 11th annual Antiques in the Heart of Aiken opens at noon and closes today at 5 p.m.

The event, held at the Aiken Center for the Arts, opened with a preview party on Thursday and has been home to thousands of guests over the four-day event.

One of the unique aspects of the show that has attributed to its success is the dealer's participation year after year.

"We have a very eclectic mix of dealers. Many of the same dealers come every year, always bringing different items," said Lisa Castles, dealer chair. "It is a sign of a successful show when dealers return year after year."

Van Talbert of Aberdeen & Co. has traveled from Asheville, N.C., for the past 11 years to be a part of the Aiken show. This year, the items from the booth that have drawn the most attention include an Irish breakfast table and an English West Country tavern table.

"We love Aiken. We loved Aiken within 45 minutes of arriving 11 years ago," Talbert said. "The people of Aiken may have sailed here on different ships, but they act like that are all on the same boat now."

Across the gallery, Roger Widener and Thomas Walter sit behind elegant displays of antique estate jewelry. This is their fourth year as a part of the show.

In the past, they displayed at hunter/jumper shows and stuck mostly to sports shows. However, their items have been so well received by the Aiken community that they now reserve the first weekend in February for the Aiken show.

"Our merchandise is perfect for the area, and the attitude of the people here and the volunteers keep us coming back," Widener said.

A few booths down, Jack and Nancee Boyce of Rockwell, Texas, are surrounded by antique books and lamps.

"My wife makes the lamps out of old pieces of silver-plated teapots and sugar bowls. She has been making them about 15 years," Boyce said. "The people here are so nice. We enjoy coming, or we wouldn't come this far. ... We will be back next year, God willing, and the creek doesn't rise."

A new addition to the show this year is the restoration, appraisal and hand-engraving section on the second floor. The area offers estimates on repairs to damaged treasures, as well as personal attention. Simply bring your items to be appraised.

"It is a way to take an heirloom and pass it on in a form we can appreciate," said Bonnie Coward, Aiken Center of the Arts board member, who decided to turn a damaged piece of service ware into a piece of jewelry. "One of the reasons this show continues to get bigger every year is because we add things and change things. That is important in order to keep bringing the local people back."

Included in the restoration and appraisal section is Tim Buchanan of T.S. Buchanan, based out of Charlotte, N.C. He is a second-generation hand engraver who learned the skilled technique from his father. All of his work is done freehand.

"It takes a lot of volunteers to pull this together," Carole Paveglio said. "We have people who coming just to eat. Friday was our busiest Friday yet; we served 149 lunches, and we are certain to surpass that (Saturday). There was a line 10 to 12 deep before we opened today."

From noon until 2 p.m. today, Marti Healy, author of the "Antiques in the Heart of Aiken Commemorative Book," will host a book signing.

The Sweetheart Cafe will serve lunch from noon until 2 p.m., and the doors will close at 5 p.m.

For more information, call the ACA at 641-9094.