Join us for an original one-woman show about Nancy Elizabeth Prophet, whose sculpture is on exhibit at the RISD Museum through August 4.
Sylvia Ann Soares, 82, portrays a compelling new elder Nancy Elizabeth Prophet (1890-1960,) African American Narragansett-Pequot and first known graduate of color from RI School of Design (1918.) Soares dramatizes Prophet’s struggles as an artist in Paris, her friendship with W.E.B. Du Bois, her teaching at Spelman College and more. The evening opens with a slide show of Prophet’s likely thoughts on racist incidents in Rhode Island and in the US.
In 2013, the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities funded Sylvia Ann Soares to research and become Nancy Elizabeth Prophet in Living History. Over the past 10 years, Soares’ has continually adapted her many solo performances of Defiance! to suit the venue and audience.