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2015 Antique Young Gun of the Year

 

Margaret Schwartz , Young Gun of 2015

Margaret Schwartz (center) with a few members of the judging panel–Allis Ghim, CEO of Bidsquare; Margaret Schwartz, LaGina Austin, Skinner, Inc; and Tom Johnson, founder of Ruby Lane

As we come to the end of another year, I’d like to introduce a young star in the antique world. Meet Margaret Schwartz. She is the recipient of the first Antiques Young Gun of the Year Award, which was announced recently at the opening of the Pier Antiques Show in New York City. This award recognizes the Young Gun who stands above the rest in categories such as career development, industry vision, and social media involvement. The winner received a prize package valued at more than $10,000.

Margaret, who previously worked for Martha Stewart Living, is passionate about antiques, is the owner of The Summer House in New Canaan, Conn., a shop that focuses on incorporating antiques and design.

Founded in 2011 in the UK by industry leaders, Antiques Young Guns aims “to foster a new, younger audience’s interest in antiques, while highlighting and celebrating younger entrants into the antiques and art industry through special recognition and unique opportunities for exposure.” Members must be 39 years old or younger and work in some capacity related to the antiques industry. This can include not only dealers but those working at auction houses, trade publications, and antiques shows. There is an application process as well as yearly dues.

Recognizing the need for such a program across the pond, US Antique Shows formed an alliance with Antiques Young Guns UK to start a new program—Antiques Young Guns USA. Skinner, Inc. was more than happy to join as a partner, along with other industry leaders, and I was fortunate to be asked to serve on the first-ever judging panel for the Young Gun of the Year USA Award. The judging panel consisted of Doris Athineos, art & antiques editor of Traditional Home; Allis Ghim, CEO at Bidsquare; Mark Hill, owner of Mark Hill Publishing and one of the founders of AYG; Tom Johnson, founder, president and CEO of Ruby Lane, Inc.; Leigh Keno & Leslie Keno, authors and television personalities; Gail McLeod, owner of Antiques News and Fairsand one of the founders of AYG; Peter Wunsch, president of the Wunsch Americana Foundation. Over the past few months, we reviewed the applicants, scoring them in various categories, and participated in a lively conference call to determine the winner. They were all so good!

I attended the announcement that took place at the opening of the Pier Show and got to meet Margaret in person. She is a great—young—ambassador for the trade. Congratulations to her, and we wish her lots of luck.

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