Courtesy Steven DaLuz entered ‘Virgin of Biloxi’ for the ‘Many Faces of Women’ show.

Planned Parenthood isn’t just about sexual health care. For July’s Contemporary Art Month, Planned Parenthood transitioned from medicine to art.

The Planned Parenthood Trust of San Antonio and South Central Texas will host “The Many Faces of Women” art show at the Southwest School of Art & Craft beginning Monday, July 21.

“We see women primarily in our clinics,” said Yvonne Gutierrez, vice president for community affairs. “We feel as though this is a good opportunity for us to be expressive and talk about women and the many roles that they play and see that reflected in art.”

The organization has received more than 100 creative works from about 35 artists. And though Planned Parenthood’s clients are often 18 to 34-year-old women, various artists of both sexes contributed sculptures, paintings and collages.

“We’ve had men and women alike (submit artwork),” Gutierrez said. “We probably have the same ratio as far as who’s contributing. ..... One gentleman had done a sketch of his wife and child shortly after the baby was born, and he submitted that.”

Gutierrez said submissions came from a range of artists: from students to established artists who show their work in local galleries. Representatives from the AnArte Gallery, the Southwest School of Art & Craft and the McNay Art Museum will winnow the entries to 30 or 40 pieces. The Best of Show will win $300 and a spot on the cover of Planned Parenthood’s 2008 annual report. The artwork shown will also be for sale, with 25 percent of the proceeds benefiting the nonprofit.

“When you kind of unleash an idea in a community and see the reaction you get, it’s really fascinating,” Gutierrez said. “It’s the first time we’ve ever done something like this. It’s been quite a feat. The art world is quite different from health care.”

Jennifer Lloyd | 210SA

INFO: 210-736-2244 ext. 353; ppsctx.org