The Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design show, at Chicago’s Navy Pier, is not only a mecca for art lovers but also a great source of inspiration for retail jewelers. With 70+ exhibitors, most from the gallery world (one exception: Jerusalem-based pearl jewelry maker Yvel), the juried fair offers jewels, paintings, and photography to a crowd of some 36,000 collectors and enthusiasts. Between the CONNECT student design competition featuring up-and-coming talents, special exhibits (e.g., “Shattering Expectations: The Art of Mosaics in the 21st Century”), an annual lecture series, and dealer presentations highlighting emerging and established artists, there is no shortage of things to see and experience at SOFA, which is in its 22nd year. For jewelry lovers, however, the merchandise will be the real draw. Gallerists with a major jewelry presence include Dolce in Telluride,