Performance Artist, Community Organizer and Educator, Kelly ‘GreenLight’ Thomas

Performance Artist, Community Organizer and Educator, Kelly ‘GreenLight’ Thomas creates music & performance around emotional health, women’s narratives, and nature. Her future work, ‘Photosynthesis’ is currently soaking up sunrays about to bloom. 

Support ‘Photosynthesis’ by contributing to Kelly’s Indiegogo Campaign.

Kelly took the time to shine a light on her work and the inspiration for it. 

GSF: Introduce us to your spirit guides. How should we address them?  

Kelly: My soul animal is the turtle. I’ve actually had a pet turtle for 13 years. I love her. She’s free roaming. My spirit guide is the tree, no tree in particular, although there is an elder tree in Newark that I love. The Newark trees whispered a song to me some years ago and that was the inspiration for my upcoming music project, entitled “Photosynthesis”. 

GSF: Photosynthesis is the process of turning photons (visual energy) in to food (fuel>kinetic energy). How is this the inspiration for your music? What changes/stays the same when we hear it? 

Kelly: My music is super raw. I use song to shine light on dark places within me and in illuminating those things in the creative process, I am nurtured and sustained. As long as I’ve been performing, often among women of color, people share with me that are moved by my lyrics. I aim to make music that grows people and myself in the process.

Watch Kelly’s video for her song “Walk Alone.”

I think by now you know that we take Photosynthesis really seriously–like synthesizing vitamin D molecules seriously–so we are delighted to know that we are among kin. 

Click here to support the final push to fund ‘Photosynthesis’ by Kelly ‘Greenlight’ Thomas.