Mothers Who Make is an international grass roots movement, dedicated to supporting the dual role of mothers and maker/artist/creative. Our Stroud hub aims to connect local mother makers through peer support meetings, sharing event, workshops and online discussion.
Who is it for?
Every kind of maker is welcome- professional and/or passionate – writers, painters, performers, film makers, musicians, technicians, producers, bakers, crafters, taxidermists, academics …. Every kind of mother/non binary parent is welcome - biological, adoptive, step, surrogate, foster, bereaved, grand, great grand, to be ….
Children, of any age, are welcome. Your dual role as mother and maker is given equal status at all our events.
We want as many people as possible to be part of the unfolding MWM conversations. Our reach is across generations and art forms – we are thrilled by the plurality of voices that are part of this discussion.
Every MWM hub shares a common ethos and practice but is able to grow and develop in response to the needs and interests of the regional artists that attend it. You are invited to join and help shape this inspiring and growing movement.
About Peer Support:
These meetings aim to give you the space to explore your creative practice and identities alongside your caring roles. We have a core peer-support talking circle structure which we explain at the start of every meeting. Each meeting is facilitated by a local mother-artist and together we explore the emergent themes in our mothering and making, points of connection between the two roles, points of dissonance, particular challenges, helpful resources. The meetings are non-hierarchical, the facilitator acts as a guide to take you through the meeting, but also share as a fellow mother maker.
Next meeting
When:
We have been holding meetings online using Zoom during the pandemic. Please contact Sarah or see the Facebook group for updates of 2021 plans.
Facilitated by:
Sarah Atkins (Mother, Textile Artist and Career Coach): coaching@sarahatkinsdesign.com
Connect with the wider MWM network:
MWM Stroud was founded in 2018 by Rebecca Stapleford and WAAS (the Woman's Art Activation System)
“I often find it hard to focus on my practice within the domestic environment. Parenting at times can be a lonely occupation as can being an artist. Ever since leaving art school where the studios were full of ideas and collaborations I have been longing for that community, Mothers Who Make enables me to re-engage with my practice by offering a space to give voice to my ideas. As mothers we don’t have to lay dormant our creativity we just need to support each other with it.”
