Studio Two Three printmaking supports abortion access

Artist Alex Luciano (left) and Studio Two Three Director of Partnerships and Development Kate Fowler stand in front of recent designs produced at the Scott's Addition arts space. Proceeds from the prints have gone to benefit a range of causes. (Photos: Alex Scribner for VPM News)

VPM NPR News
July 8, 2022

When the decision to send abortion rights back to state governments came down from the Supreme Court in June, artists at Studio Two Three dropped everything and hit the presses. 

Executive Director Ashley Hawkins said amplifying diverse voices is a core value of printmaking and the studio. 

“We learned about the [Dobbs] decision, and immediately we're like, OK, what are we doing? Where are we going? What's happening? How can we be there to support?’” Hawkins told VPM News.

Within three hours, the studio mass screen printed its design in support of abortion rights and headed out to distribute the flats. The design read, “The right to abortion is the right to autonomy, survival, equality, and self-determination.” Flyers with the statement spread during protests in Richmond that weekend, and the studio started selling the design on bags and T-shirts.