NEW YORK.- AXA Art, the world抯 premiere art insurance specialist, celebrated the art world this past week with a series of activities surrounding Art Basel Miami Beach. With reported attendance at 43,000, the art fair enabled AXA Art to focus greater attention on some of its initiatives supporting the visual arts.

On Wednesday, December 5th, Evan Snyderman and Zesty Meyers, co-principals of R 20th Century Design, joined AXA Art in toasting legendary artist/craftsman Wendell Castle, who addressed an eager group of collectors and admirers on hand at the AXA Art lounge during the Vernissage. Courtesy of R 20th Century Design, furniture from Castle抯 Molar Group was utilized in AXA Art抯 VIP lounge, 揟he Thrill of Collecting.� This marks the first time Wendell Castle抯 masterpieces in

Technicolor plastic were on display at Art Basel Miami Beach. Plastic vases by Gaetano Pesce and classic Panton chairs were also integrated into the lounge.

Later that evening, AXA Art presented Los Angeles-based artist Katie Grinnan with the $25,000 2007 AXA Artist Award at The International Collector抯 Dinner, held at The Margulies Warehouse. Renowned sculptor Nancy Rubins selected Ms. Grinnan, who commented, 揑抦 extremely honored to receive this award. Thank you so much to everyone at AXA Art for your generous support. This is going to really help me to produce my next body of work for a show at the Schindler House in Los Angeles.�

On Friday, December 7th, AXA Art and co-host Art & Antiques Magazine welcomed collectors, gallery owners, designers, journalists and aficionados to the Design Miami Media Lounge for the Design Breakfast Roundtable. Moderated by Vivian Ebersman, Director of Art Expertise for AXA Art, the discussion addressed the rise of the market for mid-century modern and contemporary design. 揟his collecting category has risen quicker than most, and only fairly recently,� noted Barbara Tapp, Editor-in-Chief of Arts & Antiques, who provided commentary at the discussion. Panelists included Zesty Meyers of R 20th Century Design and Michael Sheridan, author of The Furniture of Poul Kj鎟holm: Catalogue Raisonn� (Gregory R. Miller & Co., 2007). Journalist and curator Aric Chen, another panelist, remarked, 揟he standing-room-only turn-out for the breakfast was impressive. It seems to indicate a strong interest in collecting design that is expanding to less widely-known designers like Kj鎟holm and Brazilians Tenreiro, Rodrigues and Zanine, as well as the furniture of Oscar Niemeyer.�

AXA Art also scored a hit with its complimentary AXA Art Power Bars and gift bags, given out to collectors, gallery owners and other visitors. Summed up Vivian Ebersman, 揂XA Art did what it does best at Art Basel Miami Beach: looked at art, listened to collectors, and talked about caring for one's collection. We staged an exciting roundtable, talked to friends new and old, and were very happy that our AXA Art bars and bags were so keenly received.� This is AXA Art抯 third year as host sponsor and official VIP guide provider for Art Basel Miami Beach.