SHOWCASING the Holly Beretto is a Houston-based writer covering arts, food and wine, and interesting personalities. Her work has appeared in local, regional and national magazines.
“Y
ou have to realize, when this show started, there was no Bayou Bend. There was no Heritage Society. There wasn’t a way for people to see the sorts of decorative arts and interiors we can now.”
discussions from experts in the world of collecting and caring for antique pieces. The oldest all-volunteer-run antique show in the country, the Theta show traces its roots to Houston’s Kappa Alpha Theta alumni chapter. The sorority has alumni chapters all over the country, where women come together for luncheons, socials and
explains Lois Wright,
friendship. Charity
chairman of the
and community
2015 Theta Charity
service are a strong
Antique Show.
component of the
That’s one of the
sorority, so each
reasons the show,
chapter regularly
which happens
engages good works
every November,
to raise money for
came into being.
charity.
The first Theta
“They sold
Antique Show was in
magazine
1952; in the six-plus
subscriptions,
decades since, the
made crocheted
show has brought
coat hangers, did small fundraisers,” said
vendors and antiques experts from all over the
Wright. “But then, early in the 1950s, one of the
world to Houston, offering a variety of furniture,
members read about a church in New York City
paintings, rugs, jewelry, silver and collectibles
hosting an antiques show.”
for sale. In addition, there are seminars and
That sparked an idea among the Theta
PAST
members, who
Theta Charity Antiques Show Offers a Look at the Way we Lived
launched their own
antiques show in the
fall of 1952; the annual
event has come to be one of
the city’s premier charity fundraisers,
garnering more than $6 million for Houstonarea charities and non-profits. It opens with a gala the Thursday before the show, and
about the remarkable true stories of the
expands to three days of buying, selling,
soldiers who saved art from Hitler’s
and learning what it means to bring antiques
ravaging regime.
into your home. The 2015 show marked a milestone for the
Far from being dusty, fussy old pieces and objects d’art, Wright says the show has
group; it moved from the George R. Brown
evolved to include not only pieces from the
Convention Center to the Bayou City Event
19th century, but several interesting periods
Center, where 50 vendors offered unique
of the 20th. Young collectors will be surprised
objects for sale. In addition, a number of
to realize that vendors have multiple Mid-
speakers highlighted the event. Bettie
Century modern pieces available, as well
Beardon Pardee, author of, “Gilded Age
as pieces from the Edwardian and Art Deco
Newport: the REAL Inspiration for Downton
periods.
Abbey”, talked about the Edwardian splendor
“This is truly one of Houston’s most
of the United States’ first and arguably most
unique experiences,” says Wright. “And it’s
incredible summer seaside paradise for the
an exciting way to see things you won’t see
wealthy. Robert Edsel, founder and president
anywhere else and learn how you can bring
of the Monuments Men Foundation, talked
antiques into your life.”