Fundholder Spotlight – The Sheffield Future Heritage Fund
Anna Sheffield is a world-renowned artist who creates jewelry that is elegant, irreverent, and truly original. Anna’s earliest memories are of life in Northern New Mexico, among the splendid high desert environs and the Native American cultures of the Four Corners area. Anna’s childhood in the Southwest has had an enduring influence on her work, setting the stage for a lifelong interest in natural beauty, spirituality, and all forms of art and design—from architecture to Indigenous crafts. These diverse interests led her to pursue a degree in sculpture. After moving to New York City, Anna shifted her attention to jewelry, drawing upon her Fine Art fundamentals to create her singular style.
NMCF is honored to have The Sheffield Future Heritage Fund, a partnership that aims to preserve and protect the cultural heritage and landscape of the Southwest. In a recent discussion with Anna, we asked about her inspiration to open The Sheffield Future Heritage Fund.
Why do you have a fund with NMCF? I believe, as an artist who is fortunate to be where I am in my career, it is important to share, uplift and contribute to a larger creative community and work to preserve nature’s majesty. New Mexico has cultures that are firmly rooted in both. And being from New Mexico, I knew that partnering with NMCF on a fund would be the best way to serve that purpose meaningfully.
What inspires you, and why? Connection is the word that comes to mind. I am humbled and inspired by the interconnectedness we get to experience in this life– between artists, within community, as well as between ourselves and nature, the divine—even the sentient. I work with natural materials in my art and jewelry, and I always aim to honor their earthly origins. They inspire me endlessly.
Sheffield Future Heritage Fund has a focus on Native American and wildlife/environmental organizations. Why? I feel that contributing to preservation of place and culture by supporting what is Indigenous, or Native, to a land and people so wonderful and generous (as they are in New Mexico) is both an honor and a responsible return to a source that is dear to me.
The Sheffield Future Heritage Fund has supported these nonprofits (in the last 10 years):
- Amigos Bravos
- Flowering Tree Permaculture Institute
- Institute of American Indian Arts
- Institute of American Indian Arts Foundation
- Keres Children’s Learning Center
- Tewa Women United
- The DigDeep Right to Water Project
- WildEarth Guardians
The Sheffield Heritage Fund is a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) held at New Mexico Community Foundation. DAFs are an easy and accessible tool for nearly any donor.
If you are interested in starting a DAF, or learn more about them, visit our website, give us a call at 505.820.6860, or email Janice at jmorrow@newmexicofoundation.org.