Cheryl Eve Acosta, a sculptural jewelry artist from Puerto Rico, was selected by the Women’s Foundation of Greater KC to design a brooch for former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright commemorating her visit to Kansas City. Madeleine Albright, who is known for her use of brooches as a diplomatic tool, was in Kansas City to open her traveling exhibition of brooches at the Truman Library. Although the exhibition recently ended, more of Cheryl’s work can be found at Artners Gallery.

It took Cheryl Eve, who was selected from several artists, one month to sketch and create Ms. Albright’s brooch. According to Cheryl Eve, “the center of it is Madeleine and its blue enamel represents water and fluidity and birth.” She goes on to say “the three stem-like flowers coming out represent her three daughters; each stem is one of her daughters and there’s three different sizes referencing the generations.” Cheryl Eve adds “at a metaphysical level, the basin refers to the inner soul with the spiral branches flourishing and connecting to the world.”

Cheryl Eve’s sculptural jewelry challenges traditional concepts of wearable art. She merges fashion and art by creating bold and distinctive pieces of body adornment that uses the human body as a site of display. Although she is inspired by nature, her greater concern is engaging the wearer as part of the creation. Her Presence Collection, which explores empty space and highlights the impermanence and fragility of natural forms, can be found at Artners gallery.

Cheryl Eve holds a BFA in Jewelry from New Mexico State University and a MFA in Jewelry & Metals from the Rhode Island School of Design. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and been featured in a number of books, including 500 Earrings, Dreaming Jewelry and Art Jewelry Today III. She also published her own book, Hidden in Nature. Cheryl Eve’s studio is located in Kansas City, MO.