Mothers Who Make Devon is a one-year artistic programme designed to increase support, network and visibility for mother-makers in Devon. The pilot has been designed by Lizzy Humber (Co-Artistic Director, Mothers Who Make) to explore how we might dive deeper regionally with our work.
Following the success of MWM Exeter hub at Exeter Phoenix, Lizzy noticed that some mother makers were travelling up to 2 hours to attend the monthly meetings, many living in rural areas reporting feeling isolated from creativity networks. Lizzy dreamed of drawing together women across Devon together to unite to create a sustainable artistic network of mother-makers. We hope by providing better access to peer support across the county and by creating new ways to engage and empower mother-makers, that their voices and artistic practices will have greater visibility in Devon. Further project information is listed below.
This pilot project is part of our work as an artist-led international movement. Mothers Who Make seeks to address the impact of motherhood on the lives, expectations and identities of women. Through peer support and artistic practice, we aim to change the current crisis in cultural perceptions of motherhood. We aim to support and empower women, across artforms, on the ground, through peer-led action. MWM is the only network of its kind that places the potential for continuing professional development directly into the hands of the mother-makers who most need it.
MWM Devon is supported by Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant, National Lottery Community Fund, Improbable, Exeter Phoenix, Doorstep Arts, Torre Abbey, MED Theatre, Exeter Culture, Maketank, Dance in Devon, Barnstaple Library, Libraries Unlimited, SPORK!, Kaleider, Exeter Babies, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Exeter Council, Real Ideas Organisation (RIO), Ocean Studios, The Barbican Theatre, CAMP. The project will take place over 1 year concluding in November 2020
DEVOTED AND DISGRUNTLED
TUESDAY 18th FEBRUARY 2020 | 10am -1.30pm | Exeter Phoenix
"How do we create inclusive access in the arts for mothers, parents and carers in Devon and the South West?” An Open Space Event for Mothers/ Fathers/ Carers/ Artists/ Art Lovers/ Arts & Culture Organisations. Children welcome.
THE FUTURE OF MOTHERHOOD Open Space
WEDS 19th FEBRUARY 2020 | 10-3pm | Make Tank
“How can we use the arts to better prepare and educate young people for all that motherhood* can mean?” An open space event for young women** and Trans individuals aged 16-25 years old, artists, mothers, educators, women’s* health professionals and thinkers to come together to talk about the future of motherhood in a one-day Open Space event.
Image: Maternal Journal
MATERNAL JOURNAL EXETER
THURSDAYS from 27th February to 26th March 2020 | 12-2.30pm | The Baby Room, Heavitree
Maternal Journal is an award wining programme that provides a positive outlet for some of the new feelings and challenges you might experience, both physically and emotionally in pregnancy and new parenthood. Through a series of creative workshops, we will explore the history and practice of journaling to promote positive mental health and well-being. A nutritious vegan lunch will be provided. Children are welcome to accompany you. 15 places available for women who are pregnant or on maternity leave.
Facilitated by Lizzy Humber with Guest Artists:
27th February - Laura Godfrey-Isaacs (Maternal Journal Founder, Artist, Midwife, Mother)
5th March - Tanya Morel (Visual Artist, Actor, Mother)
12th March –Alice Simpson (Visual Artist, Mother)
19th March – Cally Hayes (Writer, Maternal Mental Health Nurse, Mother)
26th March – Katie Villa (Theatre Maker, Mother)
Free 5-Week Course - Fully Booked
Image: Tanya Morel
Image: Sophie Blinstrub
Maternal Journal Devon
with Alice Simpson
Dates: Monday 25 May, 1, 8, 15, 22 June,
Times: 8-9.30pm
Cost: £25 for 5 weeks / free places also available on request
Fully Booked
Maternal Journal International
with Lizzy Humber
Dates: Wednesday 27 May, 3, 10, 17, 24 June
Times: 10am-12 noon BST
Cost: £25 for 5 weeks / free places also available on request
Fully Booked
MATERNAL JOURNAL TASTER SESSIONS
Thurs 20th March Make Tank - For anyone working in maternity and perinatal mental heath services.
Fully booked
Producer Surgeries
We have teamed up with producers Charlie Parker and Jocelyn Spencer-Mills at Kaleider and Sue Smith at Dance in Devon to run producer surgeries for mother artists. Kaleider is a production studio based in Exeter led by artists, producers and technologists producing installation, live performance and digital experiences. Mother artists will be supported by Kaleider in the areas of Art and Tech, Film and Tech, Live Art, Immersive/Interactive/Playable Art. Lizzy Humber (MWM) and Sue Smith (Dance in Devon) will provide support in Theatre, Dance, Site Responsive Art and Community Arts. Children will be welcome to attend with mothers.
Dates: coming soon.
POETRY WORKSHOP
Wednesday 22nd January | 10.30am - 12.30pm | MAKETANK, Paris Street, Exeter
A fun, accessible and creative 2-hour poetry workshop with Liv Torc (Poet, Mother). For mothers who are hoping to explore their creativity and voice in a safe and supportive environment. Being a mother can be totally all-consuming and it's easy to put your creativity on hold. This is your chance to have a mini adventure into the power of poetry to transform stress, lighten hearts and meet other like-minded parents. We’ll do a bit of chatting, enjoy some fun games that ignite our imagination and have a go at writing together and alone – and, where possible, share our words out loud! Suitable for writers with lots, little or no experience. Children welcome.
SPORK! - A Spoken Word Open Mic
Wednesday 5th February | 1 - 2.30pm | Exeter Phoenix | Studio 2 A poetry event with a focus on mothers and motherhood. Featuring LIV TORC, with support from Poetic Licence’s YSELLA SIMS and the mother of all open-mics: an exciting sharing of spoken-word.
Mothers on the Mic
In June we teamed up with Spork! an Exeter based poetry organisation to run 4 workshops during lockdown. (see left) 40 mother artists took part and 37 made new work which they shared at 3 online open mic events. These performances have now been made into a 6 part podcast, which s released weekly on a Monday from 7th September.
PARENT-FRIENDLY ONLINE PORTRAIT DRAWING - With Hester Berry
Wednesday 22nd April and 20th May | 10.30am-12noon | On Zoom
A friendly portrait drawing class open to mothers/fathers/carers with children of any age. All children welcome to join in the drawing, or just to play. A chance to try something new, or to get back to a creative process which many mothers struggle to make time for. The model will do a couple of long poses, allowing artists to interrupt their drawing at any point without missing short poses. Although this session is untutored, help and advice is available for anyone wanting to improve their drawing skills.
Class Cost: £8/6
15 places for mother makers plus children.
Led by Hester Berry (Visual Artist and Mother)
Booking: lizzy@motherswhomake.org
*Previously advertised as ‘Mother-Friendly Life Drawing at Barnstaple Library
Making and Motherhood: Portraits in Lockdown
Online exhibition from 21 August
A unique portraiture project during global lockdown. 16 mother makers from Devon, across the UK and overseas have been selected to take part in this documentary project using FaceTime and social distancing during lockdown.
MONTHLY PEER SUPPORT MEETINGS
Last Thursday of the month | 10.30am-12noon
30 Jan at Exeter Phoenix |
27 Feb at Exeter Phoenix |
26 Mar via Zoom
30 Apr via Zoom
28 May via Zoom
25 June via Zoom
30 July via Zoom
24 Sept - via Zoom
29 Oct - via Zoom
26 Nov - via Zoom
Facilitated by Lizzy Humber and Sophie Lovett. Supported by Exeter Phoenix
To book email Lizzy@motherswhomake.org
Second Wednesday of the month | 10.30am-12noon (except for 10 June)
15 Jan at Barnstaple Library
12 Feb at Barnstaple Library
11 March at Barnstaple Library
8 Apr via Zoom
13 May - via Zoom
10 June - via Zoom NB change of time 8-9.30pm)
8 July - via Zoom
16 Sept - via Zoom
14 Oct - via Zoom
11 Nov - via Zoom
16 Dec - via Zoom
Facilitated by Helen Venn. Supported by Barnstaple Library.
To book email: helen_venn@yahoo.com
First Friday of the month | 1-2.30pm
7 Feb at MED Theatre Moretonhampstead
6 March at MED Theatre Moretonhampstead
3 Apr via Zoom
1 May - via Zoom
5 June - via Zoom
3 July 2020 - via Zoom
Sept, Oct, November - please contact Abby for dates
Facilitated by Abby Stobart, Supported by MED Theatre
To book email: abbystobart@medtheatre.co.uk
10.30am-12noon | Alternating monthly, Thursdays and Saturdays
Sat 18 January at Torre Abbey, Torquay
Thurs 20 Feb at Torre Abbey, Torquay
Sat 21 Mar via Zoom
Thurs 23 April via Zoom
Sat 30 May - via Zoom
Thurs 18 Jun - via Zoom
Sat 18 July - via Zoom
Thurs 17 Sept - via Zoom
Sat 24 Oct - via Zoom
Facilitated by Sophie Lovett, Kate Richards and Polly Ferguson-Carruthers. Supported by Torre Abbey and Doorstep Arts
Booking email sophieblovett@gmail.com
10.30am-12noon | Usually on the 3rd or 4th Monday of the month
Mon 23 March - postponed
Mon 7 April - via Zoom
Mon 27 April - via Zoom
Bank Holiday Monday 25 May - via Zoom
Mon 29 June -via Zoom
Mon 20 July -via Zoom
Facilitated by Jules Marshall.
Booking email: iamjulesmarshall@gmail.com
Supported by Real Ideas Organisation and Ocean Studios, Royal William Yard, Plymouth |
PLYMOUTH ART WEEKENDER | Fri 25 September | 10-11.30am
Join Lizzy Humber and guests via Zoom for a special one off peer support meeting. Email Lizzy@motherswhomake.org to book
SUPPER CLUB in collaboration with CAMP (Contemporary Art Membership Plymouth) | Wednesday 3rd June | 4.30-6.30pm | The Clipper, Plymouth - Cancelled due to COVID-19.
An early evening social event for parents and carers who are artists and makers in Plymouth. Any kind of maker (professional and/or passionate) is welcome and any kind of parent/carer is welcome. Bring a veggie/vegan dish to share and join us round the table for delicious food and nourishing discussions. Children of any age are encouraged to attend too and are integrated into the evening, for the dual roles of parent/carer and maker are recognised and given equal value. Throughout the supper there will be the opportunity for makers to share more about their practice with the whole group. If you would like to share something (up to 10 minutes) please send Lizzy at MWM a few lines about your making/ how your parenting/caring informs or works along side your practice and an outline of what you would like to share with the group. A projector is available on request. BOOK your places at the table for you and your children / SIGN UP for a 10 minute slot to your practice by emailing: lizzy@motherswhomake.org (limited spaces)