NEW YORK, NY.- Betty Krulik, a nationally-recognized figure in the American paintings area, has joined Keno Auctions as a consultant to its paintings department, bringing with her more than 30 years of experience in the U.S. market.

Based in New York, Ms. Krulik is responsible for implementing the global business strategy of Keno Auctions Paintings division, and to ensure the company captures and responds to rapidly-developing market opportunities and the changing focus of the dynamic international paintings markets.

“I am very pleased Betty is joining Keno Auctions as our paintings consultant. We are devoted to building this crucial area of the business and Betty is the perfect person to spearhead our efforts. We intend to offer exceptional paintings in many categories, including American, Old Masters, modern and contemporary art, with the quality and selection our clients have come to expect from us,” explains Keno Auctions President Leigh Keno.

Betty Krulik has more than 30 years experience in the handling of American and European 19th and 20th Century Art. She has sold to and on behalf of major collectors and museums around the nation, and has acted as appraiser for corporate and institutional collections as well as private collectors. Ms. Krulik’s specialty is American Art, yet in her eight years at Christie's she handled European Old Masters and 19th Century works as well as Contemporary works of Art.

Ms. Krulik began her career working at the Marbella Gallery before joining Christie's East in 1978 where she became Head of Paintings Department and Assistant Vice President. In 1997, she became a Director at Spanierman Gallery, N.Y, where she worked for many years specializing in important American works of art of the 19th and 20th centuries; the gallery has been at the forefront of research in the field, as well as being recognized as one of the major outlets for American Art. During her tenure at Spanierman Gallery she curated many exhibitions including the museum quality shows of the work of William Merritt Chase, Willard Leroy Metcalf and the landmark exhibition, Arthur Wesley Dow: His Art and His Influence.

In 2001, Ms. Krulik assumed the Directorship of the Department of American Art at Phillips, DePury and Luxembourg, where she conducted the auctions of the Glen Foster Marine Art sale and the Thyssen Bornemizsa collection. In 2004 she began her business as private dealer, art advisory and appraiser, Ms Krulik has handled the sales of important American Art, from the Hudson River School to American Modernism.

A nationally-recognized figure in the jewelry industry, Edward Lewand, has joined Keno Auctions as a consultant to its new Jewelry department, bringing with him more than 30 years of experience in the U.S. market.

Based in New York, Mr. Lewand is responsible for driving the global business strategy of Keno Auctions jewelry division. Mr. Lewand strives to create and encourage an innovative and forward-thinking team that can capture-growing market opportunities, as well as the shifting focus of jewelry auctions worldwide.

“I am delighted Ed is officially joining Keno Auctions as our jewelry consultant. We are dedicated to creating an important jewelry department and Ed is the ideal person to lead us in this area. We plan to offer exquisite and rare antique and estate jewelry, with the quality and selection our clients have come to expect from us,” enthuses Keno Auctions President Leigh Keno.

Mr. Lewand is a recognized authority in the area of jewelry appraisal and consultation, a reputation achieved through an extensive background of both training and actual experience, having attained his Graduate Gemologist diploma from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and has since embarked on a career in the industry spanning more than 30 years. His credentials include work as an appraiser, educator, consultant, gemstone and estate buyer and expert witness. He is an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), a Certified Appraiser with the Appraisers Association of America (AAA), and a licensed insurance broker in New York State. Mr. Lewand has lectured and taught on jewelry and appraisals at organizations including universities, trade groups, appraisal associations, and insurance companies. He presently offers an independent appraisal and consultation service for private and trade clients and serves as the Director of the Antique Jewelry and Art Conference (Jewelry Camp).

Keno Auctions Trusts and Estates Department works with law firms, banks, trust and estate professionals, and private clients to provide comprehensive appraisal and auction services.

Keno Auctions next jewelry sale is schedule for spring 2012.