Alessandra Caceres Mendoza, Contributing Writer
Over 75 vendors will be traveling to Richmond to set up shop at this year’s Virginia Antiques Exposition from Jan. 23-24 at the Richmond Raceway Complex.
Ticketholders can expect antique dealers and artisans from states up and down the Eastern Seaboard selling pieces from the 17th century and above, including ceramics, jewelry, furniture and more.
According to the host’s website, East Coast Expositions, each show celebrates heritage through the investment of antiques and artwork varying in item origin and historic value.
Kipton Currier, owner of ECE, said that there are many opportunities offered by this expo and antiquing in general.
“Anyone can go to an antique mall and just look around and see things,” Currier said, “But we have all of these dealers that specialize in buying and selling antiques.”
In curating an educational experience for attendees, they will learn through these historical pieces and community interactions. Currier explained that dealers often have decades worth of expertise, making them qualified to sell quality items.
Antiques also have a connection to Richmond history given the volume of popular stores. Currier said she admires the Valentine Museum, one of the exposition’s donees, for displaying this beautifully.
“It’s an appreciation of where we’ve come from, and looking forward to where we’re going,” Currier said.
Another incentive to attend is the environmental aspect. Currier said new things are more disposable and about comfort, less about uniqueness.
According to the U.S. Environmental Agency, 12.1 million tons of furniture were thrown away, with the bulk ending up in landfills.
Since antiques came before the mass production era, they were made with great attention to detail and high-quality material.
VCU alum Michael Millard-Lowe sells 17th-19th century French and continental pieces at his Norfolk, Virginia store. He is adamant on the value of these items.
To Millard-Lowe, antiques are resilient specimens, having survived many generations. Although browsing parents worry, not even reckless kids in his store could ruin their extravagance.
“I have to tell [their parents] that these pieces have survived kids before and lived to tell the tale,” Millard-Lowe said. “Unless they have gasoline and matches, all the bets are off.”
ECE has also partnered with Quirk Hotel Richmond to provide ticket-holding newcomers with a 20% discount during their stay.
The hotel’s director of sales marketing, Tracy Uphold, said this is the first time an event of this scale has reached out to them.
Uphold enjoys how the two companies’ vibes compliment and uplift one another, as their clientele consists of those with similar interests.
“We like the mix of old and new ideas coming together,” Uphold said. “An antique expo brings together people who do a little of both.”
According to Uphold, January is one of the hotel’s slower months, and the exposition weekend will bring in a wave of customers.
ECE is offering VCU students a $10 discount off of the $20 door price with a school ID.
Full details and schedules of each day of the event are available on the ECE instagram page.
ECE invites people to, “Look for the beauty and take home the magic.”
“We’re really creating this expo as a gateway to learning about antiques for future generations,” Currier said. “It’s not just for old people, right?”