Art has the power to entertain, evoke emotions, and spark social change. Creating art that raises awareness about social issues is a powerful way to promote change and spark meaningful conversations. Many artists have been using their platforms to advocate for human rights and promote equality in recent years. At Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio, we wanted to collaborate with some of the artists in our community and help share their voices.
Becca Kofron of @CuteButLoud
One such artist is Becca Kofron, who focused on creating illustrations for our merch and apparel with the message that “Trans Rights are human rights” incorporating the rainbow as a cohesive and family-friendly symbol. Becca emphasized inclusivity and wanted to ensure that the message she conveyed was accessible and relevant to everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Becca also shared her desire to see more inclusive art happening and to use art in different ways to help people. She would love to work on a grander level, creating murals and street art that can raise awareness and spark important conversations. She is passionate about using her platform to advocate for equality and human rights, and her handle @cutebutloud on Instagram is an excellent place to see more of her work.
Asha White of @AshaTheArtist
Asha created a captivating image features a woman with big, curly hair surrounded by symbols and statements central to women's empowerment, reproductive rights, and the trans community. With this unique design, which is being sold on hoodies in Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio's digital marketplace, Asha aims to make supporting Planned Parenthood not only meaningful but also aesthetic and fashionable.
Asha has a strong connection to Planned Parenthood and wanted to give support in their journey to educate those about reproductive health through artwork. She also has experience working with marginalized communities in organizations like ArtWorks where she learned firsthand the power of collaboration between artists and organizations that are working to create change. Asha is a strongly believes that “an artist’s job is to make the revolution irresistible,” and the best way to get the ordinary person involved is to attract them visually.
Dani of @More_Than_A_Puss
We also had a collaboration with Dani of More Than A Puss, a women-focused clothing brand, which resulted in the creation of a T-shirt highlighting phrases regarding human rights. The message on the shirt speaks volumes, conveying the importance of standing together and fighting for what is right. This was also the first gender-neutral T-shirt created by More Than A Puss.
Dani’s work goes beyond just creating a fashionable t-shirt. It was meant to represent that Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio is more than just a place to receive sexual healthcare. It is a place that empowers women and provides much-needed healthcare to marginalized communities.
For Dani, creating art that raises awareness about a social issue is personal as she wants to stand up for others who have been marginalized. Her art is a way to share stories and experiences, making them accessible to everyone. She believes that the imagery in art speaks volumes and can help translate the message to the viewer.
Collaborations between artists and organizations like Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio are essential in creating a more inclusive and diverse society. These collaborations are important to connect with the local community and bring an authentic message from community members. This can help provide different viewpoints and representations from members of the community. Let’s all take a cue from these artists and use our creativity and passion to change the world for the better!
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