ANNA MARIA – Actress Jane Seymour capped a busy day in Manatee County by hosting as many as 200 people at a party at The Studio at Gulf and Pine Friday evening.
The renowned star of television and movies met with dignitaries from Anna Maria Island and the county government. The Chiles Group, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Realize Bradenton made Seymour’s visit possible.
Seymour is a noted actor, artist and author and her artwork was on display at The Studio in a show called Up Close and Personal: The Art of Jane Seymour. The display will continue until Feb. 9.
Seymour mingled with the crowd, talking about her art and a special project, her Open Hearts Campaign. She has a line of jewelry by that name and she said the campaign urges people to keep an open heart so you may give and receive love.
She unveiled an “Open Hearts” sculpture at the Bradenton Riverwalk earlier in the day.
Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston and a number of dignitaries spoke after the unveiling of the sculpture, which has two hearts open at each end, like her Open Hearts by Jane Seymour® jewelry line.
The open heart is a state of mind to Seymour, who urges people to keep their hearts open and love will come. It also says love has no boundaries and flows unconditionally.
Seymour has a website that provides an interactive forum for people to discuss how keeping an open heart has changed their lives.
Seymour also gave a cooking display at The Studio and she stayed true to her vegan lifestyle, but mostly she talked with visitors and posed for photos with them.
The next day, Seymour appeared at the Manatee Performing Arts Center at noon, when she talked about her artwork and answered questions from the audience.
Seymour is known for her performances in the James Bond film “Live and Let Die,” the film “Somewhere in Time” with Christopher Reeve, and the television series “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.” Her work has earned her an Emmy, two Golden Globes and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
While at The Studio, she was asked if this was her first time on Anna Maria Island.
“Yes,” she answered, “but it won’t be my only time.”
