Interview with Victoria A. Prizzia, April 3, 2024

Interview Summary

The interview begins talking about Victoria’s childhood and relationship to swimming. We then get into how the idea for the POOL exhibit began, and what motivated her to turn it into reality. Then we spent time on the logistics of how the exhibit was created. Next, we talked about some of the rewarding and challenging aspects of the exhibit. We also touched on the physical and mental health benefits of being in and around water. We talk about the disparity of drowning in black vs white people, and how to combat the stereotype that Black people can’t and shouldn’t swim. We also discuss the exhibit concerning the Nile Swim Club and Anthony Patterson. We end the interview by discussing the future of Victoria and her POOL exhibit.

Interview Keyword

POOL exhibit Nile Swim Club Water Baby Contested Waters Lifeguard Scholarship Drowning Race Swimming Curation Trust Community

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.