Hollywood actress ANNA MARIA HORSFORD who is the Spokesperson for Guyana Fashion Weekend is a part of a special art exhibition in honour of Women’s History Month, currently housed at the Renaissance Fine Art Gallery in New York City.
Anna’s exotic jewelry collection is among the fashion accessories as art displayed along with seven other noted female artists.
The opening took place on March 12, and drew a wide cross section of luminaries who came out to see the exhibit which is entitled `Girl Talk: Narratives by eight women Artists.’
Anna is currently featured in a popular movie titled `Our Family Wedding’ with Forest Whittaker, America Ferreira, Regina King and Lance Gross. She is popularly known for her roles as Thelma in the legendary television sitcom `Amen’ and as Dee in `The Wynan’s Brothers Television Show.’
Anna was in Guyana where she showcased her jewellery in 2008 and is expected to be here again for this year’s Guyana Fashion Weekend in October. She is happy with the new jewellery installation and said creating jewellery is an extension of her talents.
For the `Girl Talk’ exhibition, Anna showcased pieces that were cleverly displayed as wearable art. She named each piece after a movie or television show that she has appeared in. One of her signature pieces entitled: `The Shield’ is an elaborate necklace fashioned from Pewter, Electroplated Gold leaves and crystal stones was lavishly displayed on a large square mirror.
`The Guiding Light’ a necklace created from Swarovski crystals on silver plated circles adorned a mannequin.
“I am an art collector and a jewellery lover,” said the actress during the opening reception. “It’s all a part of adorning oneself. Adorning yourself tells the world who you are. I create each piece so the wearer demands attention. My jewellery is not for someone who does not want to be seen or simple at heart.”
Anna, who was born in New York to Caribbean parents from Antigua and the Dominican Republic, explained: “My fascination with glamour started at a very early stage in my life. Dressing up was my permanent state of mind, I loved glamour and wanted to feel that way all the time.
“At 18 years old, I bought a muskrat coat and dyed it to look like mink. I put $25 down and gave the furrier $10 a week until the entire $250 was paid. I became what I know I was supposed to be: a Harlem glamour girl.
“I never stopped playing dress up and I didn’t need a special occasion to do it. I never had the fear of over-dressing. If I was the only one with layers of jewelry and furs at a house party, I pretended I had another stop to make before I went home and that party demanded I came `dressed-up’…..
“We all have stories to tell. My jewelry will get the conversation started.”