Hosanna on her travels
Hosanna Marshall is an Art Buyer & Producer at SaatchiNY who’s been with the company for two years (plus) a previous stint here as an AE on Olay in the early 00’s). She was recently featured in Style.com’s Behind-the-Scenesters Column, where she gives a fascinating in-depth look at her role as intermediary between the ad industry and the art world. You can check out the entire article here.
Front page image taken by Kwesi Abbensetts. Interior image from Niki Hall.
WHAT DO YOU DO AT SAATCHI & SAATCHI?
I’m an Art Buyer. I work with the Art Directors to choose the talent (photographers, illustrators, other artists) that bring our creative ideas to life. Then I produce them.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
Selling lemonade of course (does everyone say that?). No, I remember partnering up with a neighborhood buddy to sell handmade woven baskets filled with warm cookies door-to-door. I must have been about 8 and had learned to weave these adorable little baskets at summer camp. My friend (or her Mom) had the best cookie recipe on the block. We did well 
IF YOU WEREN’T IN ADVERTISING, WHAT CAREER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO TRY?
I’d be a writer – memoire and travel. And, speaking of summer camps, I’ve always thought about opening one up for Adults. A creative haven of sorts where grown-ups who left behind their artistic talents and interests from childhood can go to reignite and explore them. Breakout that paintbrush, stretch out those toe shoes! It’d be on the beach, of course, and we’d drink fresh watermelon juice all day.
TELL US SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOURSELF:
Hmm, I actually have nothing to say to this. For those who know me, that’s a surprise.
WHAT ARE YOUR LOVEMARKS?
Greenlight Bookstore in Fort Greene, scarves from Matta, scarves from A Peace Treaty, scarves from Martine’s Dream (I wear scarves a lot), my passport
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TELEVISION PROGRAM?
Reading Rainbow and The Cosby Show. I also loved Double Dare.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE CREATIVE PURSUIT?
Writing, Dance (West African, Samba, Modern)
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?
Take night classes, most recently French language and Creative Writing. Also, I enjoy buying plane tickets. Brazil is next!
WHAT BLOGS/MAGAZINES/BOOKS/PAPERS/WEBSITES CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Ooo, let’s see. NYTimes, New Yorker, Dazed, V, McSweeney’s, Granta, airbnb.com, fffflckr.com, thecherryblossomgirl.com, booooooom.com (yep, that’s 7 o’s). Those are the ones that jump to mind. I also just recently learned about Wasafiri, a literary magazine that focuses on cultural exchange and travel. I have a feeling that will be on the list of must reads, and possibly Lovemarks, soon.
BOOK THAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY READING?
“Love Begins in Winter” by Simon Van Booy
A GUILTY PLEASURE FOR ME IS:
A night at home with endless Netflix Instant.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE GREATEST INVENTION IS IN YOUR LIFETIME AND WHY?
I’m overlooking so many but I’ll say Skype. It’s free and you can see.
WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU GAVE A STANDING OVATION?
Noche Flamenca performance at the Barrow Street Theatre.