Thurs. April 7 - Sun. April 10 

If you're in the art/design furniture world you probably already know about this and are planning to go to the "AD20/21" or the Art & Design of the 20th and 21st Centuries and Boston Print Fair at Cyclorama. Thursday April 7 - Sunday April 10.  We went to last year's opening gala - it's April 7 this year  and benefits Boston Architectural College - and it was ab-fab. No, we couldn't really afford the art, but we didn't expect that. It was sort of a what-if fantasy night. Gorgeous sculpted lights, vases, tables. Fingerprint art that up close was a blur and from a distance the face of Philip Glass. Seascapes, nudes, hearts. A $7500 chair we spent about 10 minutes luxuriating in - can you do that while sitting? We took several trips in and around the passageways created for the show at the circular space and drank it all in. Yes, there were martinis and champagne involved.

But we also wanted somebody who knows this world to answer this question: If you're not a part of the art-design realm, but are curious, what the draw would be? Co-producer Tony Fusco responded:  "In addition to being a huge hit with those in the design industry, the show definitely has something to offer for just about everyone.  The show brings in galleries from across the United States and beyond, so the mix of styles/periods/mediums is without compare in Boston and throughout New England. It is also one of the only forums for Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and Art Nouveau in Boston, which is well known for its arts institutions, but is definitely lacking in representation for these influential periods.  Plus, with 40 exhibiting galleries (including both AD 20/21 and the Boston Print Fair), the sheer volume and quality of work is on par with a museum visit."

This year, the Print Fair elements is added, which offers fine prints, photography, drawings and works on paper.

Designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli - who will be  at the opening gala - are being given Lifetime Achievement Awards and speak Friday at 6. On Saturday, Jane Thompson and Alexandra Lange - authors of "Design Reserach: The Store That Brought Modern Living to American Homes" - speak at 3. Sunday at 2, Boston Home editor Rachel Slade leads a discussion on the preservation of modernist residential architecture, with Peter McMahon, David Fixlter, Sally Zimmerman and others.  Also at 2 is a roundtable discussion with sculptor and furniture designer Jacob Kulin, couture designer Michael DePaulo and milliner Marie Galvin, moderated by Art New England editor Debbie Hagan. Topic: "Designers' Salon: Emerging Design in Boston."

Thursday's gala, 5:30-8:30, costs $100 and $250 - the bigger ticket allows you in at 5:30 and the chance to hobnob with the Boston Architectural College big donors - and tix can be purchased online at www.the-back.edu/x3438,xml or calling 617-585-0118. The $100 tickets allow 6:30 admission. Weekend shows, at $15, are Friday 1-9, Saturday 11-8 and Sunday 11-5.
 

539 Tremont St., 617-363-0405 or www.AD2021.com.