Nancy Starrels, Remembered

At a gala event at the Mercedes-Benz showroom in Manhattan during Black History month, I had the honor of being on the host committee for a celebration of the work of legendary black entertainers. The event was sponsored by the Black Alumni of Pratt Institute (BAP). In the course of conversations, I met Mr. John Morning who is on the board of BAP, and also on the Board of Henry Street Settlement. When David Bernstein and I spoke with him and mentioned our study of Aesthetic Realism, he said with great pleausre that he knew someone who taught at Henry Street based on Aesthetic Realism. That person was Nancy Starrels. Mr. Morning spoke of her with great feeling, as one of the most innovative teachers there. His remembrance was as if these classes had occurred last week, though Nancy Starrels died 24 years ago. I was moved to learn from a stranger how warmly Nancy is remembered after all this time.