Parents in Central California have expressed outrage after students at Sanger High School, aged 14 to 18, were exposed to graphic content depicting abortion and transgender themes in a college-level art course. The course, "Art 2 Introduction to Visual Culture," was taught at Reedley College by professor Jose Soria as part of a dual-enrollment program that allows high school students to earn college credit.
The controversial material was part of an art installation titled "Wo/Manhouse 2022." According to notes from the exhibit, one section featured an "At Home D.I.Y. Abortion" display with a statue of a bleeding woman and a coat hanger nearby. Another room included images of women breastfeeding alongside a cow statue, and a "Trans Bathroom" area with a sign indicating "TESTOSTERONE INJECTION SITES" and compression underwear.
![An art installation showing a figure slumped on a bench beside a pool of glittery red liquid, with coat hangers on the wall above, each labeled "At Home D.I.Y. Abortion" and instructions.]( "At Home D.I.Y. Abortion" installation)
Explicit language, such as "DON’T FORGET FOREPLAY," and a plaque titled "ENCOURAGING BANNERS FOR ORGASMS" were also reportedly displayed. Parents voiced their concerns to the Sanger Unified School District, leading to a statement from Superintendent Dennis Weichmann.
"While the curriculum for these courses is established by Reedley College and is not modified for high school students, we believe parents should have the information necessary to make an informed decision regarding their student’s participation," Weichmann stated in an email obtained by the San Joaquin Valley Sun.
"Wo/Manhouse 2022" is described as an exhibition celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first "openly Feminist art installation," which began in 1972. The installation transformed an abandoned mansion into a space exploring female experiences.
Professor Jose Soria's work, according to his biography, is informed by "complex relationships that exist between religious, sexual, and cultural identity," drawing on personal memories and religious imagery from his youth as a former closeted bisexual.
Sanger High School students have the option to take free dual-enrollment courses at various community colleges, including Reedley College, Fresno City College, and Clovis Community College, to earn college credits while still in high school.