Before we round the corner into February, we want to share some upcoming opportunities that we think are worthwhile reflections of a ‘new year – new you journey’ with MoM. Many of us charge out of the gate with the best of intentions post-holiday as we turn the calendar on another year. Each of us carries some degree of hurt, loss, pain, or trauma. We already know this. Studies also show that arts, culture and community are great ways to feel more integrated, connected, and educated about our purpose and place in the world. MoM is so pleased to support the work of some of our friends, facilitators and collaborators for this ongoing holistic journey to serenity, connection and even happiness.
Black History Month
We celebrate Black History (and HerStory) Month at MoM with our exhibit featuring Sojourner Truth, activist, suffragette, mother and preacher. We are continually inspired by her example of calling out gender and racial inequity. We stand by her memory and share her story at our space in The Factory in St. Pete beginning with the First Wave of Feminism circa 1850. We also celebrate our local Carter Woodson African American Museum here locally. Carter G. Woodson was a scholar and historian who dreamed of an entire month devoted to Black History, just as we, at MoM dream of an entire field of study, museum, and month of scholarship, art, and education devoted to mothers each May across the USA.
Well-Being Is (Mostly) An Inside Job
Visit MoM’s Healing Garden growing onsite at The Factory. We didn’t know we needed this, but we do! Part of our mission at MoM is to ‘start great conversations’. Over the course of the last four months we’ve been astounded at the humans in need of a deeper connection as they process issues around loss, grief, stress, and isolation. Inspired by our neighbor @Gio’s_Typos and his garden at The Factory we’ve decided to carry the mantle of floral expression to new heights as we build out our in-person experience with prompts, poetry and stress -relievers. Bring a flower, take a prompts, enjoy the serene and intentional setting and visit soon. We’ll be waiting for you! Regular hours are 12-6 Wed – Saturday, Second Saturday Art Walk (Second Saturday each month) 6-9PM, Indie Flea (First Sunday of each month) 12-3PM. Call ahead to book your tour and make sure our volunteers are on site. 877-877-MOMS (6667). Leave a message and we’ll call you back.
Break Free from Anxiety & Love Yourself Unconditionally
A Very Special Women’s Retreat Feb 9-14. 5-days $299 or just the weekend $149 – plus accommodations (meals included). Rooms with private bathrooms are selling out. Finally release layers of emotional pain and reconnect with calmness, clarity, and happiness. Experience on-the-spot anxiety relief plus music, movement, and meditation to reawaken joy.
LEARN MORE:
The Stress Is Gone Method is a transformational healing modality facilitated by Author & Stress Expert, Brett Cotter. He is a clairaudient empath that guides you to reopen your heart as you feel self-love melt down emotional pain in your body and inside old memories. Brett has 25-years experience helping people recover from the most traumatic events of their lives.
“As a clinician, it was impressive feeling my own stress lift out of my body. I’ve encouraged several family members to call for coaching!” Gerri DeBenedetto, Mother, LCSW
”It was a life-changing experience. Brett creates a safe space to open up and has an innate ability to get to the core issues. You feel tension leave your body.” Sarah StanczewskI, Working Mom, NY
Immerse yourself in a safe place for deep, lasting emotional healing.
“I never expected in the first 5 minutes he’d be able to identify the source of my trauma, and give me the words to release it and move on.” Deidre Auchmoody, NY
[POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS] 33 Days of Transformation In-Person & Online Development Workshop
Sierra M. Clark, MoM Empowerment Facilitator invites you to join her onsite at the Museum of Motherhood each Tuesday at 6PM beginning Feb. 6th (or online) for FOUR WEEKS – 33 days – of personal and professional empowerment. Each week focuses on specific aspects of the empowerment journey, allowing participants to delve deeper into their strengths, obstacles, and break-through to new awareness and behaviors that will benefit every area of their lives. Sierra uses custom built tools which she shares with you as part of this workshop for your ongoing success. These tools can also be used for a self-paced experience which Sierra will guide you through. Register now for this insightful, personal, and empowering experience!
MoM Announcements
“Womb Project”
By MADISON HENDRY
Time-Based Sculpture and Documentation
Sculpture: Pink Yarn, Crochet Hook
Prints: Color Print on Foam Core
May 2013 – January 2014.
This 9 month long documentation explores the physical changes artist, Madison Hendry experienced throughout her first pregnancy. By crocheting around herself during this period, she creates a “womb-like” soft sculpture, which protects and comforts her, just as her womb protects and comforts her growing baby. Madison utilizes the repetitive and meditative process of crocheting to reflect on her pregnancy. As her baby continues to grow and begins to manipulate her body, it is apparent that the sculpture is doing the same. The more the baby grows, the more difficult it becomes for the artist to continue creating her work. However, it is inevitable that she continues. This is catharsis. At last, when the sculpture is complete, it is then deconstructed by the artist to reveal the greatest work of art; her baby. The “Womb Project” is currently on display at MoM.
Please Welcome Our New Board of Directors 2024
Courtney Kessel, President, is a mother, artist, academic, and arts administrator living and working in Athens, Ohio. She is currently the Assistant Director for Experiential Design at Ohio University and a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Arts. Courtney is one of the pioneers of the mother-made art movement.
Kayley Robsham – Secretary, is professional life coaching and Neuro-Linguistic Programming trainer, advanced Certified Life & Business Coach working with entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, healers, and visionaries to grow their business by helping them heal their subconscious mind and body.
Deanna Barcelona, Treasurer, (aka Dr. B) is a proud St. Petersburg local mama to two teenagers. Her Ph.D. is in Higher Education Administration with a cognate in Anthropology which she studied for both her undergraduate degree and Master of Arts. She currently works as a home loan specialist transferring her strengths and skills as an educator into the world of helping people build wealth through homeownership.
Atlas Obscura January 11, 2024– Thank you for adding us to your collection of newsworthy organizations. Atlas Obscura has a mission to inspire wonder and curiosity about the incredible world we all share. MoM is part of 28,202 unique places shared by this resource. [LINK] for their recent coverage of MoM – because, ya know, m/otherhood is so obscure!
CFP: Incarcerated (M)others Publisher: DEMETER PRESS / Editors: Olga Marques & Michelle Hughes Miller. Writers, artists, academics, activists, and all those who work in and/or study or explore (m)otherhood within the context of incarceration are invited to propose a chapter for this interdisciplinary anthology centered within the criminalized, regulated, resisted, and lived experiences of (m)others who are or have been incarcerated and/or are or have been under state supervision. When we use the term (m)others, we refer to anyone who self-identifies as a mother or parent who has or is engaging in motherwork. We use the term incarceration to reference state governance over the lives of individuals within the state’s regulatory authority. CFP PDF Download
We continue to promote, thank, and celebrate the work of WEDU PBS who did an extraordinary job capturing the journey of founder Martha Joy Rose music career to motherhood through illness to the creation of the Museum of Motherhood in St. Petersburg, Florida. From inception in 2003 in New York to actualization, the aim of MoM is to reach humans everywhere with a message of inspiration, education, and compassion. The video is on rotation locally in throughout the Tampa Bay/ Sarasota area and is also available for viewing on YouTube. Here’s the LINK.