MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Two-time Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank may be a veteran at her chosen craft, but she admits she’s still a newbie art collector.

Swank attended a kickoff party Tuesday night for Art Basel Miami Beach, the prestigious extension of the annual contemporary art fair in Basel, Switzerland. The actress said she loves collecting everything from photographs to sculptures and doesn’t gravitate to a particular medium or period, but instead chooses the pieces that speak to her.

“I think that art either makes you learn something new about yourself or makes you relate to something in yourself or is simply entertaining and that’s the beauty of it,” said Swank, who wore a short black, lace dress. “I love how it makes the world bigger and how it expands my whole idea of life.”

Swank, who is returning from the longest break of her career after caring for her father for the past 18 months following a lung transplant, was one of about three dozen people at an intimate dinner party at the Delano hotel. The event was hosted by former Ocean Drive publisher Jason Binn for his current magazine DuJour.

Sylvester Stallone, an avid painter, fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and Ivana Trump also attended the dinner before hitting up an elegant poolside bash. Hilary hugged Binn and gave a short, emotional speech at the dinner, crediting him with giving her one of her first magazine covers before she was famous.

The chic magazine has a knack for spotting up-andcomers. Binn also gave Kim Kardashian her first cover.

Famed photographer Bruce Weber and Oscarwinner Adrien Brody both made late appearances at the party, which was rather tame compared to most Art Basel bashes.