If there’s one month of the year set aside for enjoyment of antiques and art, January is it. The center of the activity is of course New York where in the span of one week the Winter Antiques Show, New York Ceramics Fair, The American Antiques Show, Antiques at the Armory and Americana & Antiques at the Pier will take place. Moreover, Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams will be holding major auctions.

The week is full of educational as well as buying opportunities. Lectures abound at the New York Ceramics Fair with such specific topics as Teapots, Coffeepots and Cream Jugs, Oh My: Surprises in American Stoneware. Lectures and book signings at the Winter Antique Show include Wallpaper in Vogue, The Hongs of Canton and Furniture Forensics. At The American Art Show there’s a panel discussion Buy or Sell What should a collector do in today’s economic market? (I can only imagine what the conclusion will be) and a What is it worth appraisal day.

New York is not the only nexus of shows. In Charlottesville, Virgina the weekend of January 22-24 will see the premiere of Antiques in Charlottesville and Harlowe-Powell Auction will host a 20th C Modern/Arts and Crafts Auction. At Antiques in Charlottesville, antiques expert Will Paulsen will offer an insider’s tour of the show.

The City of Los Angeles has proclaimed January as Los Angeles Arts Month and with that will be the 25th Annual Los Angeles Art Show featuring more than 130 international exhibitors, an engaging lecture series and special events program, a sculpture garden, and special exhibit spaces, and fun-filled evening mixers. Educational topics include Contemporary Art of Uruguay, The Fine Art of Collecting Fine Prints and Art in the Modernist Home.

In Miami, the Original Miami Beach Antique Show will be held January 21-25. If you go, go a week sooner because the Miami National Antiques Show & Sale is taking place January 15-17. I’m not sure if they heard the declaration by David Sokosh, but the Miami Modernism Show and Sale ,which had been scheduled for January 22-24, has been cancelled.

There are more antique events in January including:

25th Hudson, Ohio Antiques Show & Sale Hudson, Ohio January 9, 2010

DC Big Flea Market Chantilly, Virginia January 9, 2010

Historic Worthington Antiques Show Worthington, Ohio January 9, 2010