Gemma Flora Ortwerth: Where Art Meets Activism
Hey! I’m Gemma Flora Ortwerth, a writer, artist, and social work graduate student based in Baltimore. My work lives at the intersection of creativity and care, blending scholarship, activism, and imagination to spark change. I am pursuing my Master of Social Work at Capella University, graduating in 2026, with a focus on trauma-informed and disability-centered practice. Academic study and creative expression are concurrent and equally vital to my mission.
I approach art as activism in many forms, whether through writing, digital media, or physical drawings and paintings. I am the author of Reparations, Not Rhetoric and The Seeker and the Seven Animals, with fiction forthcoming in Sinister Wisdom. My story Drowned Angels was named Story of the Month by Flash Phantoms, and my essays and visual work have reached wide audiences through platforms such as Medium and Tumblr.
My activism has included marching in Baltimore’s Pride Parade, organizing in the No Kings protest, and engaging in community outreach that challenges silence while fostering connection. These experiences continue to shape my commitment to justice and collective liberation.
Highlights
- Author of five published books and forthcoming fiction in Sinister Wisdom
- Story of the Month award from Flash Phantoms for Drowned Angels
- Founder of Flora’s Whimsical Wonders, featuring art, prints, and books
- Active participant in Baltimore-based activism, including Pride and No Kings protest
- MSW candidate at Capella University (graduating 2027)
What Guides Me
Creativity is more than expression. It is a way to build community, resist erasure, and imagine systemic change. My work is rooted in justice, dignity, resilience, and collective responsibility.
Let’s Connect
I welcome opportunities to collaborate, create, and contribute—whether through art, writing, or community engagement. If you are interested in working together, please reach out.
-Gemma Ortwerth
Gemma Ortwerth 