Oct
5
Newsday.com
More from Port Washington
Floating gallery sails into Port Washington
With the art world floating on oceans of money, it’s only logical that dealers would take to the coastal currents and go where their clients most want to be: on a yacht. The Grand Luxe, a 228-foot floating gallery belonging to the company SeaFair, will spend the weekend moored in Port Washington, a stop on its well- heeled way from Boston to Coconut Grove, Fla.
It is the opposite of a cruise ship: Instead of passengers disembarking for a few hours of shopping, here landlubbers file aboard to sample the migrating wares, which are extravagantly unspecialized. Parisian post-impressionist paintings, sterling flatware, jewelry, leather-bound tomes, Biedermeier furniture - SeaFair is a one-stop experience for anyone who needs to furnish a chateau in a hurry. One of the yacht’s 27 booths has even been taken by a firm that sells yachts.
But don’t expect just to saunter up the gangplank: Visits are by invitation, although the unfortunates who haven’t already gotten the nod can request to be included. As the company’s founder David Lester put it, “We want collectors, ideally, people who are interested in the arts. We don’t want unscreened people on the boat.”
- ARIELLA BUDICK
WHEN&WHERE SeaFair’s Grand Luxe is docked at the Brewer Capri Marina, 15Orchard Beach Blvd., PortWashington, through Sunday. For event schedule and to request an invitation, visit expoships.com, or call 239-949-5411.