About us - our objectives - and some of the staff. - Asheford Institute Of Antiques

The School - Our Objectives - And Faculty

A FEW PERSONAL THOUGHTS FROM THE DIRECTOR, Charles Green
Thank you for your interest in the Asheford Institute of Antiques distance-learning program. Since 1966, the AIA's purpose and objective has been to offer thorough and complete professional-level home-study training in the decorative arts fields of antiques, collectibles, estate sale services, and appraising. Since that time, a great deal of care has been exercised in making sure that each student receives the guidance and help of an accredited instructor who is qualified by experience, training, and background, to impart the necessary knowledge required in order for each student to succeed in this field of endeavor.

From the very beginning of the Plans, until the day the student graduates and receives a Diploma, their work is directed by not only a capable instructor, but one who also takes a genuine interest in helping the student, and is always ready to do a little more than is required.

In constructing the Asheford Program, the aim of the writers at all times was to make every step, and every Study Plan, so simple and clear, and so well illustrated, that speedy progress could be expected by the average student even though they may have had no previous training in antiques or similar fields of study. Every phase of the training was carefully prepared and thoroughly examined in its relation to the Plan as a whole, before the first student was ever invited to enroll.

The staff here at the Institute take great pride in the high ideals that were set forth by the original founder of the school, and will do everything within their means to pass along these goals of encouragement and mentorship to all of our students.

That's our promise to you...

Charles Green
Director, A.I.A.

MEET SOME OF THE FACULTY AT THE SCHOOL

Peter Green - Asheford Institute, Founder

Co-Author of such works as, The Pleasure Of Antiques, A History Of French Furniture, Discovering Early American Antiques, and The Life, Times & Travels, Of An Antiques Dealer. Mr. Green's experience in the decorative arts covers both sides of the Atlantic, not only as a recognized expert author and writer, but also as the owner and operator of one of Canada's largest antiques businesses. The original founder and Director of the A.I.A., Mr. Green remains active with the organization today as the school's assistant Dean, and continues to provide upper-tier consultancy services to many of the major auction houses and art galleries in North America and Europe. When time permits, Mr. Green is also a contributing syndicated antique columnist for a variety of national and international publications, as well as a renowned guest lecturer for a number of universities and museums, both here and abroad. Educated at Pickering College, Mr. Green has also done post graduate work in Fine Arts at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Tony Drew - Asheford Board Member

Mr. Drew is a long standing senior member of the Institute, and has been involved in school policy decisions, curriculum selections, and statistical applications for over twenty-five years. His expertise in the development of the Institute's latest e-Course platform was instrumental in bringing the school's curriculum into the 21st-century. Mr. Drew has had a wide range of experience in both the tech world, and the decorative arts community, working for a number of major auctions houses in both North America and Asia. His understanding of eastern antiquities is second to none, with his vast knowledge of the subject matter being on display in many of the e-Course modules.

Gregory J. DeMarco - Business Director

The Profit section of the Course is under the direction of Gregory DeMarco. As a life-long industry trainer and teacher, Mr. DeMarco has had a considerable amount of experience in the business world. Before joining the A.I.A., Mr. DeMarco specialized in reorganizing established companies which wanted to improve their growth rate. From this experience Mr. DeMarco has been able to give invaluable help and advice to A.I.A. students who are setting up their own antique & appraising businesses. Mr. DeMarco is also a nationally recognized writer, with his last book "Your Credit File: Your Future," often being referred to as a bible for the banking industry.

Henriette Logstrup - Course Content Development

Aside from her duties as the school's resident expert on all things mid-century modern and twentieth-century, Ms. Logstrup is also the chief-editor in charge of Course content and curriculum development. Her vast experience spans not only the shores of North America, but also Europe. Her extensive work with renowned galleries in New York, Paris and Berlin, along with her organizational and management skills for the top antique trade fairs in London, make her a natural fit for the Institute's continuing e-Course development. Her content articles and market updates can be found not only throughout the Course itself, but also in the school's e-newsletters which are sent out monthly.

Gina Rhodes - Vintage, Retro, & Twentieth Century Trends

Gina is the school's in-house twentieth century expert. For years, before anyone even thought to call something vintage - unless it was related to wine or cigars - Ms. Rhodes was already curating an extensive collection of vintage textiles in her late teens. Since that time, her expertise in the area of all things vintage and retro has grown to include painted furniture, mid-century modern motifs, contemporary collectibles, and 20th-century-cool. Ms. Rhodes has written for numerous online and print publications, and is considered by many within the industry to be a recognized authority in this branch of the decorative arts. From collecting to selling, you'll find her twentieth-century content showcased throughout the school's e-Course curriculum

Susan Close - A.I.A. Textbooks, Bulletin Editor, and European Buying Trends

Mrs. Close is the editor in charge of all our printed matter, including updates involving the school's Textbook version of our program. Mrs. Close has been a buyer & appraiser for a number of large antique stores and galleries for over four decades, and in this capacity still makes at least two buying trips to Europe each year. These business trips help to keep Mrs. Close in contact with the actual buying and selling trends within the world of antiques, which she then passes along to A.I.A. students. Mrs. Close is also a senior consulting advisor on the Appraising Modules of the Asheford Course and is a frequent contributor to the content of these Plans.

Scott Syvert - Care & Restoration

Scott Syvert is in charge of the Asheford Institute of Antiques Care & Restoration Program. Mr. Syvert is a master cabinetmaker as well as a highly respected and renowned restorer and refinisher. Mr. Syvert, aside from his position at the Institute, was also the head cabinetmaker at SMF enterprises (one of North America's most respected antique restoration & refinishing companies). His extensive knowledge has proved invaluable to students of the Institute for over ten years. Sections in the Course covered by Mr. Syvert on restoration and refinishing are one of the most popular features of the Asheford Program. Should you have any questions about Care & Restoration, he encourages all students to write with any comments or queries they might have.

Sherry Winston - e-Course Development Engineer

Sherry Winston comes to us from Holland, where she graduated with honors from Delft University of Technology. Her expertise is in web design and creation, while also holding a specialist certificate in the field and development of online instructional platforms. She has worked for a number of auction houses and galleries over the years as a lead technical representative, and also has a keen eye and passion for anything Art Nouveau. Her expertise in the coordinated development and construction of the school's e-Course has been invaluable over the recent years, and she continues in that professional capacity today, as the lead developer and researcher for the school's online software.

Phillip Roth - Student Accounting

Mr. Roth is the newest member of the Asheford family, and will be in charge of all Student Account Operations at the A.I.A. Once you've completed your enrollment, should you have any questions regarding your account, status of your Course materials, payment plans or just general questions about your account activity, don't hesitate to call or write and let Mr. Roth and his team help you out. Additionally, should you require information on such services as, supplemental materials, or the student sales programs, Mr. Roth and his staff will always be on hand to answer your questions regarding these subjects as well.

Chalmers Gilmore, Has Been With The School Since 1986...

Born and raised in Manchester, England, Mr. Gilmore has a vast working knowledge of continental and North American antiques - to most of the staff here at the school he's simply the Scholarly English Gent... Today, Mr. Gilmore heads up both the Research Department and the Appraisal Service for all enrolled students. When you send us your research and appraisal questions, they'll be under Mr. Gilmore's direct supervision. Mr. Gilmore is also the resident writer for the Appraising & Methodology module of the Asheford Course.

Janie Gregory Is The A.I.A.'s Office Manager, and Admissions Assistant

Ms. Gregory is in charge of making sure that everything runs smoothly between all school departments, and that all Admissions requests are handled promptly. If you've got any questions about how the e-Course works, your pass-codes, accounting updates, or which enrollment Plan might best suit your needs, just let her know, and she'll be more than happy to help.
Click here to ASK JANIE...

Questions? Let Our Staff Help...

These are just a few of the many exceptional staff members here at the Institute - from the online Mail Reps, to the Registrar's Office, to the Research Department, to the individual Instructors who are there to help with any questions you might have regarding your Course materials - the staff of the A.I.A. is fully committed to your success.

You'll find our dedicated office team is always willing to go that extra mile to help with any student queries. Whether it be about updating a student account, new pass-codes, or just recommending a good antique site on the Internet to find that certain something - they'll always be on hand to help with the answers you're looking for...
Admissions Office Toll Free Hotline: 1 877-444-4508