upcoming grant deadline: 05/15/2024
Priscilla Anacakuyani Bell was born and raised in North Philadelphia. At young age, she decided that when she grew up, she wanted to become an artist and a teacher.
She went on to get her degree in Fine Arts in 2000 at Moore College of Art and Design. After graduation, Priscilla started teaching in after school programs, working to create murals with children through the Mural Arts Program and then went on to become assistant director of an all arts preschool in Philadelphia while remaining active as a painter.
In 2009, Priscilla became a member of the Taino Council Guatu Ma Cu a Boriken and became active more in the Taino community in Diaspora. Through her encounters with those she had met through cultural events and gatherings, she became more informed of the struggles of disadvantaged communities throughout the Americas and searched to assist through campaigns, benefits, educational outreach, and rallies. Most recently, with the “Stop NALED” campaign which threatened to bombard the people of Boriken with the spraying of neurotoxins, and with the Standing Rock Sioux's fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline. She also creates artwork reflecting socio-political issues that plague western society today, including: Indigenous Rights, Gentrification, and Equality.
Priscilla looks forward to continuing her Taino Cultural workshops throughout the summer into fall and by doing so, supply youth with fun and educational activities as well as expand awareness of Taino culture in the Philadelphia region.