Dolphin Promotions’ 24th annual Palm Springs Modernism Show continued to have robust attendance at its annual event, held in Palm Springs during Modernism Week 2024. Nearly 15,000 people attended the popular sale at the Palm Springs Convention Center, on par with the previous year. Additionally, more than 1,300 attendees participated in the opening night event that benefitted Modernism Week. The show will return to Palm Springs later this year for Modernism Week – October and again for its 25th anniversary show in February 2025.
The event is the largest modernism show in the U.S. offering the best in midcentury and modern design items and regularly draws attendees from around the world. More than 130 top-tier national and international exhibitors presented the very best of vintage 20th century design, focusing heavily on mid-century modern, and compelling 21st century design items for the home.
“The Palm Springs Modernism Show is one of the highlights of Modernism Week.”
– Rosemary Krieger, President of Dolphin Promotions, the show’s producer for 24 years
“Our dealers reported strong sales all weekend, including robust sales on the opening night,” continues Krieger. “We are grateful for our Presenting Sponsor First Wave Development along with Silver Sponsor Bidsquare, Supporting Sponsors Abell Auctioneers, Clars Auctions, Freightforwarding.com, and John Moran Auctioneers. Media Sponsors include Atomic Ranch Magazine, California Home & Design Magazine, California Homes, Incollect Magazine, and Palm Springs Life Magazine. These incredible sponsors all helped make this year’s show a major success.”
“The Palm Springs Modernism Show is one of the founding partners of Modernism Week and continues to impress everyone with the quality of the dealers that are included each year. Many Modernism Week attendees come to Palm Springs specifically to attend this amazing show and interact with dealers from around the country. We are delighted to feature this incredible showcase during our festival, and we are very grateful that the Friday night Preview Party raised funds to support the Modernism Week scholarship program and other initiatives.”
– Lisa Vossler Smith, Modernism Week CEO
The show opened on Friday, February 16 with a festive Preview Party in which attendees enjoyed cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music, and an exclusive opportunity to be among the first to see and shop the world-class collections before the show opened to the general public. Ticket proceeds benefited Modernism Week’s scholarship, educational, and community grant programs.
Highlights from this year’s show included a lecture series on Saturday and Sunday, a vintage airstream trailer from Airstream Inland Empire from Temecula CA, and a vintage piano display in the show lobby. Piedmont Piano Company from Oakland had a variety of vintage 20th century pianos on display and sold one of their most important pianos to a local collector. “We loved the show and plan to return next year,” said Jim Callaghan, Piedmont Piano‘s CEO.
Notable new dealers at this year’s show included StudioGRayblue of Palm Springs, Original in Berlin of Berlin, Germany, Modern Drama of Chicago, Gay Fad Studios of Lancaster, Ohio, JJ Jucick Ceramic Art of Palm Springs, and Sossego Design of Los Angeles.
Notable returning vintage 20th century dealers included Dragonette Ltd. of Palm Desert, Modern Problem Shop of LaFayette CA, Robert Massello Antiques from Miami FL, Hobbs Gallery of San Diego, Habitat Gallery of Los Angeles, Whatever Gallery of San Diego, Midnight Sunlight Shop from Portland OR and Amara Rugs of Torrance.
Notable 21st century dealers included Tesselle from Riverside, Tidelli Outdoor Furniture from West Hollywood and Brazil, C.A. Johnson from Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, Resource Furniture from Ney York, and James Piatt from Los Angeles.
“Participating in the Palm Springs Modernism Show was a fantastic experience for our company,” said Lars Triesch of Original in Berlin. “Rosemary’s exceptional coordination ensured that everything fell into place effortlessly, allowing us to focus on engaging with the crowd and showcasing our collection. We were thrilled to showcase our collection amidst such a receptive audience, and we thoroughly enjoyed discussing our favorite designs with fellow enthusiasts and industry experts. The fair provided an invaluable platform to connect with like-minded individuals and establish meaningful partnerships, leaving us eager to participate again in the future.”
“The show once again proved to be the best modernism show on the continent,” said dealer Charles Hollis Jones. “We heard positive comments from interior designers, collectors and repeat clients who thought the quality and content presented was amazing. Sales were strong all weekend. In fact, we even sold some important pieces on Friday night during the Preview Party. Our sales included 6 original bar chairs, a set of four Tennessee Williams wisteria chairs, along with several Lucite sculptures. We will definitely be back next year to help celebrate 25 years of the Palm Springs Modernism Show.”
“As a long-time attendee of the Palm Springs Modernism Show, it was very exciting to be an exhibitor at this show, said Gary Rubinstein of StudioGRayblue of Palm Springs. “Modernism Week is the highlight of the year in Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Modernism Show is the crown jewel of that week. As a former east coast dealer, it was so cool to have a west coast presence, and I look forward to bringing my brand, StudioGRayblue, back for next year’s show.”
For more information visit www.palmspringsmodernism.com.
