As a tribute to the reigning Miss Universe Belize, popular painter Alex Sanker unveiled an original surprise piece this afternoon at the foot of the Belcan Bridge - which is his display space. We stopped by and got a first look at the artwork. Jomarie Lanza reports.
At least a dozen easels were propped up behind each colorful painting that lined the sidewalk of downtown Belize City this afternoon. All of which belonged to artist Alex Sanker, but one painting in particular was used to lure a beauty queen to the foot of the swing bridge for a special surprise. It was there that Sanker unveiled a one of a kind piece as a tribute to Halima Hoy, Miss Universe Belize
Halima Hoy, Miss Universe Belize
"I'm caught off guard my husband told me to look cute today. And I'm like okay that's nice I thought it was just like you know a dinner or a lunch or something and you know a bunch of tiny lies led up to this moment. And I'm overwhelmed with the idea that he took the time to do this and of course Alex took the time to really incorporate a very strong message in this picture because it speaks volumes as you can tell the black orchid is at my toes and it represents a black woman, a woman of black heritage representing the jewel of Belize so in very touched by this piece."
The painting, still in its early stages, displays an incorporation of the National Flower, and Hoy as now a national figure, both a symbol of beauty and national pride.
Alex Sanker, Artist
"I think the crown is what sells it we have never ever have a crown like this it's always something that the pageant probably issue and also most importantly it's the first year where of course women with kids who are married could enter the pageant and that's very ground breaking. So I want to do something special and I know for a a fact the black orchid is our national flower and I don't care what people see through my paintings, I am all about country. I'm always promoting Belize in every way, shape and form. So when I found out she won this is my sixth Miss Universe that's like no secret to you guys but this one here I wanted to do something that's breaks all barriers which is to bring her out from the black orchid and then present her to the world. So like I said it's not completed there is going to be more of the universe with planets and stuff so this was definitely inspired just by being patriotic and trying to get Belize out there to the world basically."
And that journey for Hoy is just beginning as she continues to prepare to take on the world stage.
Halima Hoy, Miss Universe Belize
"The journey has been amazing and I believe that as we go along month by month and week by week we are getting stronger as an organization and my confidence is building as well we have been doing a lot of training we have been doing a lot of preparation and making sure that all our Ts are crossed and our I's are dotted so I'm very positive about the whole training and I'm looking forward to sharing more of what we are doing with you guys so one of the biggest adjustments is sharing what we are doing with the media I was never a social media person but now I feel like I am catching up to that."
