2026 State of the Art Prize, Delaware
2026 State of the Art Prize, Delaware
B. Proud
B. Proud
B. Proud is a photographer/artist/activist whose work features a series of socially conscious documentary projects focused on the LGBTQ+ and transgender communities. Her projects, “First Comes Love” and “Transcending Love,” aim to bring greater visibility and acceptance to communities that deserve understanding, respect, and basic human rights.
Photography, Visual Arts
2026
About B. Proud
Wilmington, DE
B. Proud has showcased her photography in solo and group shows around the globe. With a robust academic background, she served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, for 25 years, as faculty at International Center of Photography, NYC, and recently at the Maryland Institute College of Art. B. Proud’s current work centers on socially conscious documentary projects highlighting the myriad injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Proud’s hardbound book, “First Comes Love,” has earned two gold medals. Her short film, “A Circle of Diamonds,” has been included in over 20 film festivals worldwide. The sequel project, “Transcending Love,” delves into the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming couples across the country, aiming to foster understanding for a community that deserves recognition, respect, and basic human rights. Proud’s work has garnered support through grants from the B.W. Bastian Foundation, Puffin Foundation, University of the Arts, MICA, and Delaware State Arts Council. Her work is represented in collections including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Harn Museum of Art, The Biggs Museum of American Art , Jamestown Community College, the Delaware Art Museum, Haverford College, and the Forman Arts Initiative.
B. Proud has showcased her photography in solo and group shows around the globe. With a robust academic background, she served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia, for 25 years, as faculty at International Center of Photography, NYC, and recently at the Maryland Institute College of Art. B. Proud’s current work centers on socially conscious documentary projects highlighting the myriad injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ community. Proud’s hardbound book, “First Comes Love,” has earned two gold medals. Her short film, “A Circle of Diamonds,” has been included in over 20 film festivals worldwide. The sequel project, “Transcending Love,” delves into the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming couples across the country, aiming to foster understanding for a community that deserves recognition, respect, and basic human rights. Proud’s work has garnered support through grants from the B.W. Bastian Foundation, Puffin Foundation, University of the Arts, MICA, and Delaware State Arts Council. Her work is represented in collections including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Harn Museum of Art, The Biggs Museum of American Art , Jamestown Community College, the Delaware Art Museum, Haverford College, and the Forman Arts Initiative.