In conceptualizing his outlook on life, Prince Anthony Thomas visualizes himself as a bus driver. As he moves along with a destination, goal, or accomplishment in mind, he imagines his bus picking up the people who have impacted his life, both positively and negatively, and taking them on his journey. It is a lovely metaphor for the growth and self-exploration that we all do throughout our lives, as well as the influences and community spirit that shape us along the way. Thomas shared this metaphor with me at the beginning of our interview, and its message echoed through our conversation as we discussed Thomas’ upbringing, the development of his art style, and his upcoming exhibition, 19 Portraits: Honoring Black LGBTQ+ Philadelphians, which opens on June 5 at William Way.

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