Internationally acclaimed Jamaican fine artist, author and jewellery designer Anna Ruth Henriques (ARH) is no stranger to the pages of SO. We’re not seeing her here in Jamaica as often as we’d like — understandably really, since she’s busy creating exquisite pieces of jewellery for Hollywood A-listers like Madonna and Law & Order SVU’s Mariska Hargitay, or being featured in noted publications like Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, The Tokyo Journal, O magazine and InStyle to name a few. And let’s not forget luxury retail giant Barneys where her collection is sold.

Her extensive list of accomplishments is cause for continuous celebration, but the talented artist, never one to rest on her laurels, was selected, Wednesday last, as one of two finalists in the Future Brilliance Afghanistan project design competition. Henriques will be jetting off to Jaipur, India, in two weeks to meet with the Future Brilliance students for a workshop where she will develop a line that will be made by the jewellery students of the project, whom she will train in producing the pieces for their own profit and sustainability.

“I am so excited and deeply honoured to be a part of this life-changing project,” Henriques shares in an exclusive interview with SO. “The students will return to Afghanistan and use gemstones from their country. Please pray that all goes well, that the jewellery line is tremendously successful, and the young men and women drastically improve their own lives and those of generations to follow.”

Indeed, all of Henriques’ work — be it painting, book or jewellery — has a story. A narrative drives each piece with meaning and intent so we look forward to her next — inspired by this new journey on which she embarks.

Future Brilliance is a non-profit, female-led organisation dedicated to finding “innovative educational models to offer quality professional training that leads to jobs and creates new business opportunities” for Afghans.

Our absolute best as always to the enterprising Anna Ruth Henriques.

Naturally, SO will keep you abreast of further developments.

For information on the Future Brilliance Design Project, please visit their website at: www.FutureBrilliance.net/

To learn more about Anna Ruth Henriques, visit her website at: www.annaruthhenriques.com, her blog at: annaruthhenriques.wordpress.com or her Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/AnnaRuthHenriquesJewelry.