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This page is devoted exclusively to students and graduates of the Institute. The focus of this site is to bring together relevant information from the world of antiques, collectibles and appraising as well as the reporting of student activities and opportunities.
Below you'll find some of the stories we've overheard, and some tips we've discovered along the way to help students navigate their way through the world of antiques and collectibles.
You'll also find relevant updates to the Asheford Program, as well as information regarding shipping policies, new exams, shows we might be attending, content changes that may have occurred within the new e-Course, plus a variety of other helpful topics related to your overall Course studies.
Below you'll find some of the stories we've overheard, and some tips we've discovered along the way to help students navigate their way through the world of antiques and collectibles.
You'll also find relevant updates to the Asheford Program, as well as information regarding shipping policies, new exams, shows we might be attending, content changes that may have occurred within the new e-Course, plus a variety of other helpful topics related to your overall Course studies.
Note: Access to e-Course Modules and Passcodes can be only be found in the "Enrollment Confirmation Email" which was sent upon enrollment. Study Plan e-Course Modules cannot be accessed from this website. If you require your log-in information to be resent to you, please contact the Admissions Office at; a[email protected] with your first and last name, address you used for registration, telephone number, and a representative will resend your e-Course URL's and Passcodes to the email address on file.
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New Business Plan
Business Plan Director, Phillip Roth, introduces his latest addition to the Asheford Course, a completely revamped Business Kit with the latest strategies for succeeding in the world of antiques and collectibles amid turbulent, as well as stable economic times (full version included in the e-Course) 
Chat Rooms...
While we think chat-rooms and google groups can be a wonderful forum for the expression of ideas and concepts, we're letting students and graduates take the lead here since they're usually the ones with the most topical questions (with our graduates being the best at answering them). So, if you've got a great idea for a chat-room or group discussion, then have at it, and start posting with your Asheford colleagues today! Handy Little Book...
Although we don't normally take to recommending individual books... this one is an exception... great drawings and illustrations make for a handy field guide for students out on the auction or garage sale prowl. Butler's descriptions are first rate. Though no online version yet! Pass Rates Rise
New "pass rates" for students seem to be on the rise, says Clare Hinington, associate Appraising Director of the AIA. "The new exams (particularly those associated with the Appraisal section of the program), have been updated to reflect current market trends, and have been very well received by students and potential employers alike... which is good news for everyone!" Reactivation Rates
Please remember that you have up to 4 years to complete the Asheford Institute's Antiques and Appraisal Home-Study Program. Additional time necessary for completion after this period will incur a "reactivation" fee for student accounts and services - currently $99.75 USD. |
Note: Textbook Exams & Location
Students on monthly tuition payment plans for the Textbook version of the Course, are reminded that individual Study Plan EXAMS must be completed and mailed to the Institute before your next set of study materials can be shipped out (email attachments and faxes of exams are not accepted).
All exams are located in the back of the Asheford Information Folder that accompanied your Course Textbooks.
Exams Are As Follows:
Plan 1 - Multiple choice, identify, and short answer questions (supplemental Guns, Swords & Armor exam). Total 2 Exams.
Plan 2 - Multiple choice, identify, and short answer questions. Total 1 Exam
Plan 3 - Multiple choice, identify, and short answer questions. Total 1 Exam
Plan 4 - Multiple choice, identify, and short answer questions. Total 1 Exam
Plan 5 - Essay, Appraisal Exam - Multiple choice, identify, short answer and long answer questions. Total 2 Exams.
The Asheford Program consists of a total of seven examinations (with one optional exam). Minimum passing grade for each examination is 70%. All examinations are open-book, and students are encouraged to read, and reread through their Course materials in order to source out the correct answers for their examinations. Students scoring below 70% will be required to re-test.
All exams are located in the back of the Asheford Information Folder that accompanied your Course Textbooks.
Exams Are As Follows:
Plan 1 - Multiple choice, identify, and short answer questions (supplemental Guns, Swords & Armor exam). Total 2 Exams.
Plan 2 - Multiple choice, identify, and short answer questions. Total 1 Exam
Plan 3 - Multiple choice, identify, and short answer questions. Total 1 Exam
Plan 4 - Multiple choice, identify, and short answer questions. Total 1 Exam
Plan 5 - Essay, Appraisal Exam - Multiple choice, identify, short answer and long answer questions. Total 2 Exams.
The Asheford Program consists of a total of seven examinations (with one optional exam). Minimum passing grade for each examination is 70%. All examinations are open-book, and students are encouraged to read, and reread through their Course materials in order to source out the correct answers for their examinations. Students scoring below 70% will be required to re-test.
The New York City "Young Guns America" Awards Show...
Staff from the Institute recently headed to the NYC Pier Antique Show, as part of the Institute's collaboration with Antiques Young Guns of America - a program designed to develop and reward up-and-coming antiques enthusiasts who've shown a special talent within this field throughout the past year.
Director of the Institute, Charles Green, was on hand to award three different scholarships to select candidates from the Young Guns roster of applicants during the morning Press Conference just prior to the show's commencement.
This years first-place honors went to Margaret Schwartz, with runners-up, Geoffrey Walsky, and Rachel Hoffman following closely behind. During the awards presentation, Mr. Green noted that all involved were deserving recipients, and had clearly proved themselves worthy of such industry recognition, through their dedication and steadfast efforts within the antiques and collectibles field. The Institute congratulates all of this years Young Guns applicants, and looks forward to the presentation of next years awards!
Director of the Institute, Charles Green, was on hand to award three different scholarships to select candidates from the Young Guns roster of applicants during the morning Press Conference just prior to the show's commencement.
This years first-place honors went to Margaret Schwartz, with runners-up, Geoffrey Walsky, and Rachel Hoffman following closely behind. During the awards presentation, Mr. Green noted that all involved were deserving recipients, and had clearly proved themselves worthy of such industry recognition, through their dedication and steadfast efforts within the antiques and collectibles field. The Institute congratulates all of this years Young Guns applicants, and looks forward to the presentation of next years awards!
Graduates At Work...
Asheford Graduate James Wilkins Reaches For The
Sky
James Wilkins comes from Canada and lives in Frankfurt, Germany. A graduate of the Asheford Institute and of Seneca College in Toronto, Mr. Wilkins owns and runs VintageBarn Antik und Aeronautika – an online shop for MCM decoration, as well as aviation-related antiques and memorabilia. His areas of expertise include: German ceramics, militaria, and airline advertising, as well as vintage items from the period of German division (1945-1990). Mr. Wilkins has years of experience in buying and selling antiques and collectables internationally, and says that when not working on his worldwide import/export business, he and his wife spend time spoiling their cat. Congrats James!
Sky
James Wilkins comes from Canada and lives in Frankfurt, Germany. A graduate of the Asheford Institute and of Seneca College in Toronto, Mr. Wilkins owns and runs VintageBarn Antik und Aeronautika – an online shop for MCM decoration, as well as aviation-related antiques and memorabilia. His areas of expertise include: German ceramics, militaria, and airline advertising, as well as vintage items from the period of German division (1945-1990). Mr. Wilkins has years of experience in buying and selling antiques and collectables internationally, and says that when not working on his worldwide import/export business, he and his wife spend time spoiling their cat. Congrats James!
Asheford Graduate & Art Conservator Georgiana
Nedelcu Covers The Globe
Coming from Universal Fine Art Conservation in Estill, South Carolina, Asheford graduate Georgiana Nedelcu has proven she has a fine eye for detail when it comes to restoring the past. Operating one of the most respected conservation and restoration services on the Atlantic seaboard, Nedelcu's expertise runs the gamut from furniture restorations, to oil paintings, and the repair of antique and vintage globes. Working with universities and museums is just another aspect of this three-service business that ranks tops in its class. Congrats Georgiana!
Nedelcu Covers The Globe
Coming from Universal Fine Art Conservation in Estill, South Carolina, Asheford graduate Georgiana Nedelcu has proven she has a fine eye for detail when it comes to restoring the past. Operating one of the most respected conservation and restoration services on the Atlantic seaboard, Nedelcu's expertise runs the gamut from furniture restorations, to oil paintings, and the repair of antique and vintage globes. Working with universities and museums is just another aspect of this three-service business that ranks tops in its class. Congrats Georgiana!
Asheford Graduate Henk Pardoel At The Antiques
Roadshow
Henk Pardoel is the CEO and owner of Swordsman Publications as well as the Kingston Fencing Club. A recent Asheford graduate, Mr. Pardoel is a recognized expert on the subject of fencing and is an avid fencing enthusiast and former coach of the sport. He has written extensively on the subject, covering it's history and virtually everything associated with it - including many collectible and antique items related to the sport. His recent trip to the Antiques Roadshow, included a famous trophy from Queen's University that he brought along to have appraised - it was valued by Roadshow appraisers at $30,000! Congratulations on your recent graduation from the school Mr. Pardoel!
Roadshow
Henk Pardoel is the CEO and owner of Swordsman Publications as well as the Kingston Fencing Club. A recent Asheford graduate, Mr. Pardoel is a recognized expert on the subject of fencing and is an avid fencing enthusiast and former coach of the sport. He has written extensively on the subject, covering it's history and virtually everything associated with it - including many collectible and antique items related to the sport. His recent trip to the Antiques Roadshow, included a famous trophy from Queen's University that he brought along to have appraised - it was valued by Roadshow appraisers at $30,000! Congratulations on your recent graduation from the school Mr. Pardoel!
Asheford Graduate Sean Leong Drops On Why He's A
New-Age Collector
One of our grads from the other side of the globe, Sean has an eclectic online store, a great blog, and a natural sense for all things collectible. He founded his company, Routein, in Selangor, Malaysia and has developed a novel approach to his business enterprise, "As an antiques enthusiast and anthropologist of commerce art, I became a collector. I’m not collecting just to collect; I have very specific themes that give me direction on what to seek out. I want to understand the lore and legacy of the collectible itself. Every piece has a story that enriches the collecting experience." We couldn't agree more Sean... well done!
New-Age Collector
One of our grads from the other side of the globe, Sean has an eclectic online store, a great blog, and a natural sense for all things collectible. He founded his company, Routein, in Selangor, Malaysia and has developed a novel approach to his business enterprise, "As an antiques enthusiast and anthropologist of commerce art, I became a collector. I’m not collecting just to collect; I have very specific themes that give me direction on what to seek out. I want to understand the lore and legacy of the collectible itself. Every piece has a story that enriches the collecting experience." We couldn't agree more Sean... well done!
Asheford Graduate Hélène Vendette Talks About A
Second Chance
Another Asheford graduate, from the late 1990's, talks about her desire to do something different after a life of public service. After deciding that retirement wasn't for her, Helene chose to embark on a different path, but one which led her to do something that she'd always wanted to... Opening a full time shop of antiques and collectibles within a Victorian style tea-room. "It was a dream come true," said Ms. Vendette. Today she continues that venture in addition to working as a research assistant for the McCord Museum of History. We commend you on your efforts Ms. Vendette!
Second Chance
Another Asheford graduate, from the late 1990's, talks about her desire to do something different after a life of public service. After deciding that retirement wasn't for her, Helene chose to embark on a different path, but one which led her to do something that she'd always wanted to... Opening a full time shop of antiques and collectibles within a Victorian style tea-room. "It was a dream come true," said Ms. Vendette. Today she continues that venture in addition to working as a research assistant for the McCord Museum of History. We commend you on your efforts Ms. Vendette!
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