Antiques at the Gardens with Jeremy and Sarah

Meet Sarah Stewart and Jeremy Clark, co-chairs of this years Antiques at the Gardens Gala! Sarah is the founder of Sarah Stewart Consulting, a concierge construction consulting business that provides clients with a project manager who serves as an advocate during the home building process. Jeremy runs, Jeremy D. Clark Studio, a full-service design studio specializing in luxury residential, commercial and hospitality projects from coast to coast. Both have a long history of supporting Birmingham Botanical Gardens and are the perfect duo to throw this years gala! We recently got to sit down with the two of them and chat about this years 16th annual Antiques at the Gardens, so find a seat, grab a cup of coffee (or a cocktail!) and get ready for all of the scoop!

Tell us about Antiques at the Gardens and what we can expect from the weekend?

AATG is the premiere fundraising event for the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Not only does the event raise funds to support the Friends’ mission to protect, nurture, and share the wonders of the Gardens, but also cultivates a community of all kinds of creatives–from near and far, to join in celebrating design in all its forms. Running September 29th through October 2nd, it will be a weekend you won’t want to miss.

Thursday, September 29th is the Gala in the Gardens. Sponsored by Cooper Construction, this festive, black-tie event is the kickoff for the entire weekend! It will showcase the beauty of the gardens under the stars and offer attendees a sneak peak of the 2022 AATG dealer booths. September 30th through October 2nd is the antique show in the Garden Center. There are 22 dealers from across the country bringing you antique furniture, silver, jewelry, rugs, china, and art! There is something for everyone whether you are searching for beautiful English antique furniture, fabulous artwork to elevate any space, or a topiary for your kitchen window.

Throughout the weekend there are various panels featuring 12 fantastic guest speakers. For those of you who love interior design, architecture, and floral design, this is a must, so check them out below!

What can we except at this years gala — anything new and different?

It’s certain to be an exciting year! We gathered inspiration from previous years and also aimed to put our own spin on the event. The event this year features our inaugural textile sponsor, Sister Parish Design, who has graciously donated large amounts of their well-regarded fabric to be highlighted throughout the gardens–another core component of the event, as guests are welcomed into the gardens as the primary backdrop. Join us in the Hill Garden, the Rose Garden, and circulate amongst the building surrounded by antiques dealers and sponsors.

We have noticed so many small businesses, local and from a far, supporting this years Gala. Can you speak to that and how their involvement has played a role thus far?

The show began, and remains, as a boutique show–intimate, smaller in scale, and set within the gardens. Because of this, we aimed to include small businesses that are also well regarded on a national scale, highlighting the enormous talent that the city of Birmingham is home to, in addition to a community that is generous to its core.

What are you most looking forward to for the weekend? Any antique dealers or speakers you are really excited about?

Sarah: I’m so thrilled to see the culmination of months spent planning come together in celebration of design and community in Birmingham and beyond! It’s been such a thrill to apply my project management to the realm of event coordination. Personally, I’m thrilled to shop the pieces from Piggy Kitchen as I’ve had my eye on their fine selection of copper pots and pans.

Jeremy: I cannot wait to watch pieces that I specify for people’s homes take shape amongst the gardens–Sister Parish, Circa Lighting, and more. How can I pick just one speaker? I’m extremely excited to hear Alex Papachristidis speak about his experiences with his signature jokes peppered in.

Grab your tickets today! Tickets for the gala, for the antique show, and for our lecturers can be purchased on the Gardens’ website: https://bbgardens.org/2022-tickets/. If you cannot join us during AATG, you can donate to support the Gardens and the Friends’ mission here: https://bbgardens.org/join-give/. Thank you so much for your support and we hope to see you there!

TSG Members who are involved or have donated their time & expertise to AATG 2022: Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens • Sarah Stewart Consulting • Jeremy D. Clark Studio* • Black Sheep Antiques • Millhouse Howell Landscape Company • Cobbs Allen • The Travel Studio • Paige Albright Orientals • Kathleen Varner • The Atelier • Marigold Designs • Alkmy • Le Weekend* • Fry Construction *Upcoming Volume 7 Member