At Pro-Choice Washington, we believe art has the power to move mountains in the fight for reproductive freedom. That’s why Pro-Choice Washington continues to partner with local artists who use their creativity to advance reproductive justice through their work.
Art has long been integral to social movements, including the fight for reproductive rights. From protest signs to public murals, art expresses the deeply personal and political nature of bodily autonomy.
Over the past three years, our collaborations with local artists have served to amplify diverse voices within our community, make complex aspects of reproductive justice more accessible, and strengthen connections between reproductive rights advocacy and our region’s cultural landscape.
These partnerships recognize that reproductive justice intersects with many aspects of our lives and communities. By featuring local artists’ work, we deepen the impact of our messaging, reaching hearts and minds in powerful new ways.
In this blog series, we’re excited to introduce you to the talented artists lending their creativity to our cause. Join us as we explore the intersection of art and activism, and meet the creative minds helping us move mountains for reproductive justice in Washington state.
Get to Know Isa Medina
Pro-Choice Washington is excited to partner with artist, designer, and illustrator Isabella Medina for a limited-edition merchandise line. Isa’s work highlights the importance of reproductive freedom for all bodies and all choices.
Isa’s accessible artistic designs bring to life the reproductive health care options that many patients use as part of their health care regimen.
“As someone who takes a daily hormone pill to manage endometriosis, I wanted to depict medical care options the way I see them, as helpful, necessary, and for many life-saving parts of our day-to-day existence,” Isa said about her design.
“As an illustrator with endometriosis I think of my hormone pill as the helpful little guy who keeps my uterus from trying to kill me.”
Isa’s work focuses on uplifting and amplifying her community through image-making, visual messaging, and art. It often centers around bodily autonomy, immigrant rights, queer representation, and snacks.
“I wanted to show other often-villainized and legislated-against medications in the same positive light. While far from perfect, many of these little guys have life-changing benefits for people who use them, and we all deserve safe access to medical care that we need,” she said.
by Isa Medina
She also hosts community meet ups for folks to come together to make things and express themselves creatively.
A key part of Pro-Choice Washington’s work is centered around building a culture of celebrating abortion and bodily autonomy through various avenues like community partnerships.
“Isa’s beautiful, joyful images align perfectly with Pro-Choice Washington’s bold, unapologetic, intersectional approach to protecting abortion rights and access,” said Sami Alloy, Interim Executive Director.
Now available at the Pro-Choice Washington store, Isa’s “All Bodies. All Choices” design can be seen on t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, tote bags, and sticker packs!
All proceeds help benefit the work of Pro-Choice Washington which includes partnering with local artists like Isa.
Crafting Change: nicole gugliotti
Pro-Choice Washington is excited to introduce our next artist collaboration featuring nicole gugliotti, a ceramic artist and educator based in Olympia, WA.
nicole’s work uniquely intersects craft and reproductive justice. Her projects, including the Systems Series, Birth Control Tic Tac Toe, and the Things that Shouldn’t Need to be Said (but Clearly do) Series, explore themes of reproductive justice along with playfulness and resilience.
These pieces address important issues such as bodily autonomy, state violence/genocide, and the ongoing pandemic.
Alongside her studio practice, nicole spent many years as a surgical assistant in abortion services. This experience brings a unique perspective to her artwork.
More recently, she has worked directly and indirectly with organizations to fundraise through art.
Born and raised under the hot Florida sun, nicole completed her MFA at the University of Florida and her BFA at Florida Atlantic University.
Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions at prestigious venues such as the Alexander Brest Gallery in Jacksonville, FL and The Institute of Ceramic Studies at The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Shigaraki, Japan.
Pro-Choice Washington is excited to feature nicole’s ceramic vases as centerpieces for our Moving Mountains table scapes. Each vase is individually designed with reproductive health care iconography. They will be available for guests to purchase at the event.
nicole is currently a professor of art at Tacoma Community College, where she continues to inspire and educate.
We’re so excited to feature nicole and Isa’s pieces at Moving Mountains. Be sure to buy your tickets by this Friday, September 20!
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