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MaMaPaLooZa Rocks St Petersburg

If you’ve been following MoM’s growth in St. Pete then you can celebrate along with us! So much to be proud of. The MoM Conference 2025, The MoM Art Auction, The We Build Tampa Bay initiative, Raisa Nosova’s beautiful gift of a custom mural onsite at The Factory, Health, Wellness and Education workshops, Black Maternal Health week exhibit and new friends, opportunities and recognition. We are grateful, indeed! Thanks Nanette Wiser for the great story this week in TBN. Wanna read more? Story’s here!

Now, get ready to ROCK with the 2nd annual local MaMaPaLooZa May 4th in partnership with FloridaRAMA at The Factory. This FREE Family festival features a music stage, discounted tickets to FloridaRAMA and MoM’s Escape Womb Experience, raffles, giveaways, sampling, health resources and kids activities that celebrate m/others and the people who love them. See you from 11AM – 4PM for a very cool one-of-a-kind day. FYI, MaMaPaLooZa began in NYC in 2003 and went on to pop up in 25 cities and 4 countries over the course of the next ten years. In 2011, attention turned to the Museum of Motherhood and its activities, though MaMaPaLooZa continued to thrive in a variety of locations. More about MaMaPaLooZa.

  • Mahray
  • The Tall Order
  • Girls Rock St Pete
  • Hex Appeal
  • AnaKitty
  • Delaran
  • The Rum Syndicate
  • Fine Line
  • BayFirst Financial
  • Pinellas Community Foundation
  • Rays/Rowdies
  • SDC Strategies

UP NEXT, MAY 8th (Artist Talk) & 10th (Second Saturday at MoM)

WHEN: May 8th and 10th, 2025

WHERE: May 8th 6:30-8PM OXH & Gallery Noir in the Kress Building 1624 E 7th Ave. Ybor City

May 10th 7PM MoM 2606 Fairfield Ave. S St Petersburg, FL Building 7, 2nd Saturday Art Walk

WHO: Julienne Doko is a French dance performer, teacher, and choreographer with roots in the Central African Republic and based in Copenhagen, Denmark. She studied a range of traditional and contemporary dance styles including ballet, jazz, Hip Hop, samba, West African and Afro-Brazilian. Her performance aims to further connect us across oceans, bodies and bridges. Registration opens May 4th for the artist talk and performance. Press Release.

Internships at MoM

Domi Pila – In her own words: I am an English graduate from the University of Cambridge interested in literary and visual storytelling within cultural heritage spaces, and more broadly. As a published poet and illustrator, I am especially fascinated by the difficulties of turning complex experiences into cohesive narratives, and enjoy exploring liminal spaces and characters in my work; I am also often drawn to mythical and religious representations of women, and themes surrounding mental health. Last year, I completed an internship at Ben Uri Gallery and Museum in London, where I developed my interest in the intersections of visual culture, history, place, and identity through supporting exhibitions and projects relating to Jewish, refugee, and immigrant artists in Britain. My personal highlights from this internship include assisting with the launch of a photography exhibition in partnership with the Centre for British Photography, and writing an article comparing the poetry practices of two artists for the museum’s online repository. In addition to this experience within a research unit and curatorial team, my curiosity surrounding the possibilities of interdisciplinary storytelling and research as a way of conveying experiences, histories, and omissions makes me especially excited to work with MoM’s archives. Alongside this internship, I am an English tutor and volunteer, and spend my free time on long nature walks, and drinking large quantities of coffee.

Chelsey - MoM Intern

Chelsey Cabrera – In her own words: I am a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student at USF. I love to paint, crochet, and sew in my free time. I aim to use art, community service, research, and film to capture the current state of Reproductive Justice in the United States.

Chelsey helped with the MoM Conference at USF and is also assisting with some shift work at MoM while completing a special project during her time with us through May.

Have You Submitted To The Journal of Mother Studies (yet)?!

he Journal of Mother Studies (JourMS) is open for submissions through May 31. Submit Now! Mother Studies is a field of interdisciplinary study devoted to the issues, experiences, topics, history, and culture of m/others, mothering, and motherhood. Go to our menu, click the first drop down tab to find the current issue.

The Journal of Mother Studies (JourMS) is open for submissions through May 31. Submit Now! Mother Studies is a field of interdisciplinary study devoted to the issues, experiences, topics, history, and culture of m/others, mothering, and motherhood. Go to our menu, click the first drop down tab to find the current issue.

JourMS accepts submissions for scholarly articles, papers, and projects by academics and students, including fine art presentations and books for review annually. We especially encourage submissions from applicants and presenters at the MoM Academic and Arts Conference–on specific topics through the Museum of Motherhood– but are open to content on a wide variety of topics for the journal. Our annual CFP goes out each October. The conference takes place in March. A schedule can be found under ‘Guidelines‘.

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Support MoM Now: First, Local, Herstoric #GivingTuesday

Dear Friend, Ally, Neighbor and Associate –

This year, even in the midst of hurricanes and upheavals, MoM greeted 12,000 visitors locally (and internationally) and finalized work on a new exhibition: ‘MoM’s Escape Womb Experience‘ – exploring conception, gestation and birth (at a time when we need this more than ever). 

The Museum of Motherhood is (and has always been) a beacon of love, inspiration, and equity.

The volunteers have all worked hard and achieved some wonderful successes in 2024, with a substantial grant award from Foundation for a Health St Pete and additional grant awards from the St. Pete Arts Alliance and Hypatia Collective. 

2025 promises to be another groundbreaking year with MoM’s Art Auction in collaboration with OXH Gallery of Tampa on March 18th, 2025 as well as the 20th Anniversary MoM Academic and Arts Conference sponsored by USF.

But, MoM needs help! In order to sustain operations, the nonprofit must raise the necessary funds to secure its 2025 budget which will bolster activities, pay operations costs, and help us reach the community that needs us most. Will you donate?

We need to raise a minimum of 30K in order to keep our initiatives going from December – August 2025.

It’s hard to ask – but, no amount is too small. We understand the challenges of today’s economy, the status of worldwide relations, and how great the need is for so many

SUPPORT MOM

We believe that in the face of mounting pressure to constrain women’s voices and bodies, the Museum of Motherhood stands as a testimony to the beauty of creation, the power of human spirit, the love of a shared humanity.

We are working on behalf of you every day to implement collaboration and connection as guiding principles. Together we can change the world!

Please consider a donation to our operational campaign, by check, online, or through membership. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

MoM Loves You and Values Your Participation – Because YOU are wonderfully made!

IN THE NEWS

We were thrilled when Bob Eckstein included a chapter about the Museum of Motherhood in his book ‘Footnotes From The Most Fascinating Museums’. In fact, the book is featured on our large wall mural in the new location in Gallery Row at The Factory. But, imagine our surprise when Bob sent us a copy of this recent Reader’s Digest article that boldly mentioned MoM among other fascinating favorites in the USA. Check it out here. Reader’s Digest article with picture and mention of MoM.

ESCAPE WOMB IS OPEN

Our ticketing site for MoM’s Escape Womb Experience is live. The experience is designed to delight visitors with clues and puzzles about the nuances of conception, gestation and birth in a fun and informative environment. This health, wellness and education adventure is a-first-of-its-kind in the world. Open to people age 18 and above (younger with an accompanying parent or guardian) by advance reservation. Tickets can be through our website for up to six people at a time. Or come alone and we’ll place you with a team: https://escapewomb.resova.us/

DON’T FORGET – SUBMIT TO THE MoM CONFERENCE TODAY

Don’t forget! This year is the 20th Anniversary of the Annual Academic & Arts MoM Conference. This year’s theme titled ‘FUN, SEX and CRYING OUT LOUD’ brings levity and depth to the art, research, and auto-ethnographic works related to m/otherhood inclusive of all reproductive identities. This year’s conference is in partnership with USF. Submissions are due by Dec. 15th please. See the full international call for papers! Join Us.

MEET OUR TEAM

Meet our new volunteer! Valentina Blanco is eager to help with the beautiful projects of this organization as she has advocated for women’s rights since she was just a girl. She loves to educate others through art, connection, and community. She looks forwards to working with MoM & Joy at the new museum location at The Factory in Gallery Row. She also anticipates organizing some graphics and social media projects, assisting with MoM’s Escape Womb and whatever else needs to be done during her time each week. See more about Service Learning, volunteer and internship opportunities here.

A MESSAGE ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Pray & Stay as founder Martha Joy Rose undergoes surgery on December 12th at Tampa General after a challenging year of wellness struggles. Rose has been experiencing the long-term side effects of cytoxan chemotherapy, administered thirty years ago for Lupus. The resulting diagnosis of bladder cancer has consolidated the MoM Team into a skilled group of allies who have been managing the day-to-day administration of museum activities since the summer. Rose anticipates returning to management responsibilities in January, but recovery is bound to be cautious and gradual. Please support us during this difficult time.

EASY DONATION LINKS: PAYPAL OR STRIPE TO SUPPORT MOM

SUPPORT MOM

*Blog header graphics include Barbara Lynch, Sierra Clark, Martha Joy Rose and MaMaPaLooZa

Please see our holiday hours and book your trip accordingly. Our schedule is posted online here and updated regularly! Sending lotsa Holiday Love <3

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Strong Moms & Grandmothers Are the New Superheroes!

When the headline “Strong Moms & Grandmothers Are the New Superheroes” crossed my desk recently from a prominent media outlet – I thought, “Yes, we ARE.”

There is a certain sense of achievement in some communities today. While we still have a long and challenging way to go in terms of women’s progress, many are celebrating the voice and strength of women on the national stage this week.

We cannot ignore the palpable excitement streaming through the airwaves as women, grandmothers, and women-of-color raise their allied voices. We cannot ignore that access to healthcare, safe birth, and children’s well-being is forefront on our minds. We cannot ignore our herstory or deny the anniversary of the ratification of women’s right to vote celebrated at the beginning of this week, Sunday, August 18th, representing 104 years of hard won American success.

Know Your HerStory

Wanna know more about world events in the context of the Suffragette movement and progress towards women’s right to vote in the USA? There are so many ways to learn more. Make a field trip to the home of the first Convention Days where Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott and others argued for women’s equality in Seneca Falls, NY. Or, head to NYC where the musical SUFFS is on Broadway for an extended run. If you can’t get to New York, you can still watch the more serious accounting of the movement in England online with the movie Suffragette (2025) or the depiction of Alice Paul and Lucy Burns who risked their lives for freedom in Iron Jawed Angels (2004) online. Women’s voices are everywhere. Or you can visit the Museum of Motherhood in St. Petersburg, FL and learn more about activist Sojourner Truth and the journey towards justice as well as the four waves of women’s activism in the maternal sphere.

Celebrating MoM’s Successes

Last week also represents an incredible month of successes for the Museum of Motherhood with our active team of volunteers, including Sierra Clark, Barbara Lynch, and Mary Havlock. These achievers demonstrated a whole lotta grit and hard work securing three grants that demonstrate MoM’s success in our local community.

We are beyond pleased to announce the Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete and Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital recognized the Museum of Motherhood as a partner through their new Catalytic Capacity-Building Grant with funding for $10,000. We are so incredibly proud! Thank you Sierra Clark for your hard work on this.

We are also pleased to announce a 1k award from the St. Pete Arts Alliance with Barbara Lynch & Hypatia Collaborative for bookkeeping and IT (in-kind services) with champion Mary Havlock

Is Mother Made Art the “Last Taboo?”

The New York Times headline August 16th 2024 stated that “Camille Henrot has filled a gap in the canon by investigating the labor of motherhood.” The article discusses this ‘new’ art form of art made by women who are mothers and how not much has been done in this arena. The author of the article, Sasha Weiss, goes on to state that Henrot “scoured books and the internet for images of breast-pumping” and that “because [motherhood] is still stigmatized in visual art [she] resists characterizing work as being about motherhood.”

At this point in the article I wish very much that the artist had accessed the work of Jess Dobkin‘s lactation station (2006) or Sarah Irvine’s Infant Feeding Log, the student researched exhibit online at the Museum of Motherhood depicting the work of artists representing themselves breastfeeding, or even the photographic work of Renee Cox, Yo Mama (1992–94) who “decided I’m going to give you pregnancy in your face and found inspiration there.” My point being, that the art of motherhood is a developing field established and thriving over last thirty years.

When the author perpetuated the interviewed artist’s statement that she had “stumbled into a gap in art history… and that while there’s no shortage of representations of mothers with children, Henrot could find few of mothers on their own,” I moaned. Not from happiness but from despair.

My question to Sasha Weiss (and to Camille Henrot), is – How do we stop perpetuating the invisibility of the art made by mothers about motherhood by refusing to notice, research, and share the great body of work that currently exists all around the world? Every time an new article, exhibit, or piece of literature is published that refuses -or is oblivious to- the great accomplishments of literally hundreds (if not thousands) of women at this point in herstory, the patriarchal stereotype that legitimate art is only exhibited in specific types of galleries and museums is perpetuated.

The Museum of Motherhood (USA) has been devoted to art about art made by women about their reproductive experience and labor since 2003. Other organizations include: Procreate Project (England), Spilt Milk Gallery (Scotland), Artist Parent Network (USA), A.M.M.A.A. Archive for Mapping Mother Artists in Asia, and multiple artist residencies that support, collaborate and share the art made by mothers about their identity, experiences, and labor. I hope somehow we might shift this narrative together, starting NOW.

~Martha Joy Rose, Founder, Director MoM

Call For Submissions

The Art Exhibition and Auction of October 2024. Read more about submitting art here (by August 31) for this auction and exhibition sponsored by OXH Gallery with Committee Chair Odeta Xheka and organized by MoM’s Executive Board members Courtney Kessel, Deanna Barcelona, Barbara Lynch and Anna Lieggi. [LINK]

25th Anniversary MoM Annual Arts & Academic Conference CFP is LIVE! The Conference is being organized under the leadership of Brittany DeNucci and our Academic and Conference committee. The Museum of Motherhood is calling all scholars, artists, and community members for presentations and papers on the subject of ‘Fun, Sex, & Crying Out Loud’. [LINK]

New Internships

Welcome Kayla Foster, woman, mother, student. Her project will include archival research, ethnographic interviews, and collaboration efforts with the University of Oklahoma and the Museum of Motherhood to identify the cultural postpartum practices and traditions of Hispanic mothers in the Southwestern United States. The research will be multigenerational resulting in a final research paper focused on her findings and discuss the importance placed on traditional postpartum practices.

You may remember Whetley Earnest who came to us at the beginning of the summer as a local high school junior, interested in pre-med. Whetley is still with us, volunteering at MoM and we couldn’t be prouder! Here she is pictured with friend and ally Lucky Leroy who is currently featured in a solo exhibit at The Factory in St. Pete in partnership with FloridaRama. Leroy is our local ‘King of Art’ and his exhibit titled Florida Famous is up through August in the gallery next to the Museum of Motherhood. Come visit – You will love it!

Hold the Date

Experience some of St. Pete’s most popular museums during Arts Alive! Free Museum Day on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Select St. Pete museums will waive admission fees to allow the community to experience some of the fine art that makes St. Pete a premier arts destination. Arts Alive! Free Museum Day is produced by the City of St. Petersburg, the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, and participating cultural organizations based on the currently paused National Smithsonian’s Free Museum Day. [LINK]

We will be moving to gallery row. But, not yet! We are awaiting word from our new landlords about the projected move date, but right now, it looks as if we will remain in our current location across from FloridaRama and DaddyCool until at least mid-September. We’ll keep you posted on progress for sure!

*M/other (noun): is a self-identified individual who is relationally connected through pregnancy, birth, surrogacy, genetics, care-work, and/or adoption. Historically female; they are one who divides (time, labor, emotion, and/or genetic material) and are paradoxically increased by the experience. Best explained by the equation: me + other (m/other) a mother is one who is connected, or disconnected, to another, genetically through procreative activity or linked through identity, care-work, and/or association. This special relational status incorporates the phenomenon that motherhood is otherhood, which is its most fundamental principle. While gender identity has gone through multiple identity shifts in recent years – and MoM is super supportive of all folx.

Mother-made art recognizes the works and endeavors of those making fine and performing arts who are mothers and those whose work is impacted by, or is focused on, experiences of pregnancy, birth, care-work, fertility, loss, adoption, fostering, surrogocy, and m/otherhood inclusive of all reproductive identities. This includes artistic interpretations highlighting the lifespan of makers of maternal experience, action, matrescence, and embodiment, within personal and relationally organized emotions, biologies, technologies, and behaviors. [LINK]

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1, 2, 3 – Let the May Countdown Begin!

May is Mothers’ Month– and here we are once more – celebrating the art, science, and herstory of American women and mothers with international collaborations. While MoM situates itself as a museum primarily focused on the last 250 years of North American women, m/others and families, our internships, conferences, and online exhibitions span the gamut from the UK to Canada, from Europe to Asia.

Here we go: LET THE MAY COUNTDOWN BEGIN!

ONE: May 1st was supposed to be the conclusion of our fundraising initiatives for fund our 2024-25 season, yet we persist. The Fundraiser continues to meet our 2024-25 Budget of $100K.

We thank the Rays and Rowdies for their recent sponsorship and we thank our new Founders Circle members: Liz Dimmitt, Aleks Miziolek, Betty Schaub and our assorted friends who have also contributed donations to this “We Build Tampa Bay” fundraiser.

In the meantime, our newest art exhibit, includes a collaborative work entitled ‘A Womb of Our Own – Seeing Red‘. This sculpture is currently onsite at MoM and will see its completion on Wednesday, May 8th with additional pieces contributed by Jessica Caldas. The sculpture assemblage includes the vision of MoM curator Martha Joy Rose and contributions by Leroy – the King of Art. Visit us Wednesday 6-7:30 PM to PLAY and CELEBRATE the fab new vision! But, first make your pledge to MoM by using this form or by donating directly to Join our Founders Circle.

We are also collaborating with The Saint Petersburg Month of Photography (SPMOP) for the exhibition MOTHER LENS: Four Visions of Motherhood: Mikaela Martin, Jena Love, Águeda Sanfiz, and  Angelika Kollin, present their reflections on motherhood with very distinctive voices that range from the visual personal journal, the photojournalistic essay,  conceptual photography, and fine art portraiture.  [More]

SPMOP Exhibit
Jessica Caldas Sculpture Rendering

TWO: MaMaPaLooZa is May 4th 10-4PM at The Factory in St. Pete in partnership with Fairgrounds St. Pete. Come to 2606 Fairfield Ave. S. Enjoy the day! FREE for the family with lots of activities, music, and discounted tix to the Fairgrounds. Full description on our page here.

THREE: 3 months is all we have at our current location at The Factory. Yes, that’s correct. May, June, July and then we begin looking for our next location. What does that mean? MoM’s going to need to make plans for where we pop up next. Have ideas? Want to help us make something happen? Get in touch. We need your input now. Join Us.

Summer Hours at MoM

Beginning immediately, our hours at The Factory May – July will be 12-6 Thursday-Sunday. If you are visiting locally or from out of town, make sure to book your tour in advance. We have a small volunteer team and sometimes may not be onsite if you have not pre-booked, however we do our best and you can always reach out! Call ahead 877-711-MOMS (6667) or write: INFO@MOMmuseum.org

Other Activities and Friends

The Mysteries About Manifestation Revealed from our friend Brett Cotter

New Program – Align Your Actions with Your Destiny 

There is something almost all other manifestation programs miss; how do you break free from the subconscious beliefs that manifests all the stress and lack in our lives? Mantras and affirmations will not stick if your deeper core beliefs are not in alignment. 

In this 4-Week Program you will be guided through 4 essential steps to manifest the life you want. 

You will be guided to: 

1. Identify your deepest desire and purpose

2. Release the old fear and programming you have around living your destiny now

3. Embody the new beliefs that automatically manifest the life you want

4. Align your time with your soul’s priorities

Facilitator: Brett Cotter, Author, Retreat Leader, and Trauma Recovery Expert with 20-years experience consciously working with the laws of manifestation. He teaches with his wife at the Omega Institute, Kripalu, Himalayan Institute, Tibet House, and Sivananda Ashram on Paradise Island. 

Price: Early bird special $99 ends May 3rd, after that $199

HURRY & REGISTER NOW: https://www.stressisgone.com/page/287664

Join Us Online

Sunday, May 19 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Online Motherhood: The Forever Job (FREE)– An evening of new writing by author and artist Suzi Banks Baum, followed by a discussion about the importance of writing motherhood with Joy Rose, award-winning artist, activist, and founder of the Museum of Motherhood. Participate in an Open Mic event for IWWG members and guests. Register Online.

Books

Matricentric feminism seeks to make motherhood the business of feminism by positioning mothers’ needs and concerns as the starting point for a theory and politic on and for the empowerment of women as mothers. Based on the conviction that mothering is a verb, it understands that becoming and being a mother is not limited to biological mothers or cisgender women but rather to anyone who does the work of mothering as a central part of their life. The Mother Wave, the first-ever book on the topic, compellingly explores how mothers need a matricentric mode of feminism organized from and for their particular identity and work as mothers, and because mothers remain disempowered despite sixty years of feminism. MoM Founder & Director, Martha Joy Rose has a chapter in this book. Order yours now.

More

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MoM’s Got Ya, This Month and Every Month…and Forever

May is coming and May is Mothers’ Month. What do we make of this month of observances at the Museum of Motherhood? Years ago, just over one-hundred years, Mother’s Day was voted into legislation as a national day of observance. On May 8, 1914, the U.S. Congress designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day requesting a proclamation which Woodrow Wilson signed into law.

We are grateful to Bob Eckstein for the release of his most recent book Footnotes from the Most Fascinating Museums, available to order online, which includes a shout out to the Museum of Motherhood. What an awesome surprise! Thank you, Bob.

The very first American celebration of Mother’s Day was in Grafton West Virginia, organized by Anna Jarvis who wanted a day for families to commemorate their loved ones. Previous versions of a motherhood movement prioritized social involvement for mothers for the betterment of society including peace initiatives like the one that Julia Ward Howe is famous for. In that context, the reading becomes Mothers’ Day (notice the apostrophe) (Read more here).

As the founder of the Museum of Motherhood, I was fortunate to celebrate the one hundred year anniversary of Mother’s Day with my own mother, as the featured speaker at the historic landmark St Andrews Methodist Church, which is the International Mother’s Day Shrine in Grafton West Virginia. My keynote talk addressed the importance of place, one of the core components of the commitment I feel towards the Museum of Motherhood. Humans need physical places to acknowledge our embodied experiences and to activate memory and cultural identities.

I purposely chose to embrace motherhood as a socially engaged activity involving not just families but the well-being of communities, hence my efforts on behalf of women, mothers and families (inclusive of all reproductive identities) through the years. As a young mom living in New York City, I learned how important friendship and collaboration are. The parks and playgrounds became my home away from home with four children in tow. Those friendships became the bedrock of my life as a mother. These gals were the people I turned to for support, compassion, understanding, and FUN! Since moving to Florida with my now adult children, I still look to my community of women for a shared sense of passion, camaraderie, and the mission of the MoM.

This year, for the first time in many, I said ‘yes’ to Liz Dimmitt at The Fairgrounds St Pete when she suggested we bring a MaMaPaLooZa Festival to Tampa Bay. The festival initiatives, begun in 2002, have worked alongside the Museum of Motherhood to generate more visibility regarding the labor, art, and enterprise of women. This year, marks the first time in over ten years, where I personally agreed to an event outside of MoM. So, in addition to our May fundraising activities at the museum to build a ‘Womb of Our Own‘, the MaMaPaLooZa Festival will take place on May 4th in partnership with The Fairgrounds St Pete at The Factory in Tampa Bay. Hope to see you there or at one of these other opportunities we will be creating this month! ~Martha Joy Rose, Director and Founder; MoM, MaMaPaLooZa

The Journal of Mother Studies: a peer-reviewed, international, interdisciplinary open-access, digital humanities hybrid project.

CFP 2024: Threads of Connection–Sorry/Not Sorry: Confronting mother (and other) blame–healing & resistance in contemporary culture and beyond. Submissions to the Journal are open until May 31st [Link to Submit]. Also seeking lead editor for the 2024 edition. MORE INFO.

The Saint Petersburg Month of Photography in collaboration with the Museum of Motherhood presents the exhibition MOTHER LENS: Four Visions of Motherhood: Mikaela Martin, Jena Love, Águeda Sanfiz, and  Angelika Kollin, present their reflections on motherhood with very distinctive voices that range from the visual personal journal, the photojournalistic essay,  conceptual photography, and fine art portraiture.  [More]

Description: Join us for a day of celebration and empowerment at MAMAPALOOZA St. Petersburg 2024! Hosted at The Factory by MoM and Fairgrounds St. Pete, this event honors and uplifts mothers and caregivers in our community through a dynamic mix of music, art, and camaraderie.

Special thanks to our sponsors: St. Anthony’s BayCare, Great Explorations Children’s Museum, The Barn UPT, and Stephanie Allen Coaching. MAMAPALOOZA St. Petersburg 2024 offers a diverse lineup of activities and entertainment for attendees of all ages. [LINK]

CALL TO ACTION: Join Our Founders Circle- Building MoM in Florida. Calling one hundred friends to invest in the future of Tampa Bay by helping us grow locally. Also, a Womb of Our Own Sculpture – Seeing Red coming this month.

MoM invites you to become join our Founders Circle by making a donation of $1,000 to fund our 2024-25 budget at The Factory in St. Pete. Donate and then help us celebrate the Museum of Motherhood in St. Pete. We invite YOU to join us as we bring this legacy project to its next phase of development. May 8th 6-7:30PM – Please PLEDGE by May 1st using our form here

MaMaPaLooZa Performers – MoMs ROCK! And, so do YOU!

In partnership with The Fairgrounds St. Pete

Event Title: MAMAPALOOZA Family Festival / FB invitation / FB Page

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024

Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: The Factory, 2606 Fairfield Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Susan B Music
Nora Ricci
Jennifer Medina
Hex Appeal – Girls Rock St Pete
The Rum Syndicate
Some vendor opportunities still available
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Making New Friends, Thanking Old Friends, St Pete Connections & Our Shared Success in 2024

Please join us in thanking WEDU for an incredible portrayal of 20 years worth of labor on the MoM distilled into a 10 minute profile, airing tonight at 8:30PM EST on local/FL TV, by Producer Kristine Kelly, camera by James Borchuck and the entire production and staffing team at PBS on the creation of the Museum of Motherhood through a very personal lens.

MoM is a legacy project because of a deep need in our world and in our society, a vision that came through immense hardship, and a lot of grinding work, as well as some blissful and blessed support with volunteers and allies. Every single person who has put their energy behind this initiative can, and should, take pride in being part of something that in an amazing FIRST on this planet.

Each volunteer, visitor, student, board member, academic, artist, team member, donor, friend, and family member should consider this story of perseverance and triumph to be their own. We share it with you in every way.

New exhibits coming. Installation of Madison Hendry ‘The Womb’ Project is in progress.

Make it GREAT with us: This is OUR YEAR FOR UNMITIGATED SUCCESS. MoM is going to find the funding and partnerships it requires in 2024 to build our forever home – with your help, equity, and alliance! Together we rise!

Motherhood in Motion | Greater St. Petersburg

Everyone has a #Mother, but #Motherhood encompasses much more than a traditional maternal role. We explore the art, science, and history of mothering in its myriad forms through the one-of-a-kind @MuseumOfMotherhood More episodes of Greater St. Petersburg are available on our website @ WEDU

COLLABORATORS, PARTNERS, and SPONSORS

13: The Power of Positivity, Peace & Family (w/ Nana)

In this special episode Josh Naaman of Naaman Creative interviews his grandmother, Nana, about her life, lessons on family, kindness, and peace, and discovers how these values helped shape Josh’s business model. This intimate conversation highlights the enduring impact of family bonds, emphasizes the joy of doing what you love, and explores timeless wisdom from a life well-lived. Join us in celebrating family, love, and the pursuit of happiness across generations. (Hear our MoM ad)

THANKS FOR BEING PART OF IT ALL!

We have a call out for VOLUNTEERS. Looking for onsite event volunteers for Second Saturday Art Walk, First Sunday Indie Flea, docents, and social media! Please give us a shout if you have a few hours a week or month to share and join our AMAZING team! Or, create your event, workshop, or gathering by getting in touch FORM. Also, INFO@MOMmuseum.org / 877-711-MOMS (6667)

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Second Saturday Art Walk, The Modern Woman, WEDU Filming and New Board Members at MoM

We are thrilled to announce multiple exciting events at the Museum of Motherhood.

This weekend, Saturday January 13, 2024 in collaboration with Drew Marc Gallery, MoM celebrates a show of contemporary women artists, titled ‘The Modern Woman‘. As part of our Women in the Arts series interview (excerpts can be found on our instagram @MuseumOfMotherhood) see the video below. The Drew Marc opening this Saturday features the art of Andrea Dasha Reich, Blair Vaughn-Gruler, Maggie Kruger and Michelle Gordon. The show starts at 6PM- 9 with a food truck on site. Make sure to visit the Museum of Motherhood when you visit. We will be open to the public as well. Drew Marc Gallery is located in Building 8. MoM is located in Building 5 (across from the Fairground and DaddyKool Records).

This Friday, January 12th, please be our guest onsite as WEDU wraps up filming on the Museum of Motherhood, covering our move to The Factory in St. Pete and our quest to be a women’s museum in Florida with a focus on m/others. Please join us at 1PM (or a little earlier). All new and old friends are welcome! Linger for an hour, be part of a tour, speak on camera and share your thoughts! Or, just join us for some lite fair. It would be GREAT if you could let us know you’re coming either through DM on social media, INFO@MOMmuseum.org or call 877-711-MOMS (6667). We’re gonna rock it (with YOU).

More Upcoming Events

January 2024 last call to view Alexia Nye Jackson’s Mother: The Job exhibit through January 15th onsite at The Factory.

January 17th MoM welcomes the Womb Project ‘Time-based Sculpture and Documentation’ with yarn by Madison Hendry.

February 18th Feminist Pizza Party: as part of Dining for the Arts with Historic Kenwood.

March is Women’s History Month! Bringing a new exhibit titled ‘Bag Ladies‘ with the art of Judy Lyons Schneider and Alice Harrison.

March 16 & 17 – MOM Art Annex Studio Tour as part of the AEHK.

March 22-24 – Annual MoM Conference: Threads of Connection – Sorry/Not Sorry featuring keynote speaker Courtney Kessel with an interactive site-responsive installation of “Fabric of Life” and the art of the doula and Madison Hendry with group-led conversations circles at the Mother Tree with community crochet, panel discussions, conference presentations, and local health & wellness exhibitions.

May is Mothers Month! Saint Petersburg Month of Photography – SPMOP (Local Photography Exhibit) in partnership with local artists.

June- July Geography of a Woman featuring Interiors “we are all pink inside” by Christen Clifford and the Goddesses of Malta.

This schedule is sure to blossom. If you are interested in getting involved with MoM as a volunteer, partner, collaborator, local sponsor, or through workshop or other participation, or if you’d like to share your time or expertise, please contact us! To make a donation to MoM go to our donation page please.

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Our New Year

Looking Back / Looking Forward

Last year we saw so many changes. Some easy and some challenging. At the end of the year, like so many, we honor the year behind us and look forward to the year ahead!

In 2023, MoM hosted the Annual Academic Conference on Maternal Landscapes and welcomed travelers from around the world, finalizing production on the Journal of Mother Studies (JourMS) for online publication post-conference. We worked with artists in residence including and extended residency with Batya Weinbaum who created an onsite goddess mural at the MOM Art Annex. We purchased the Mother Tree by Helen Hiebert for our permanent collection with the support of you- the friends of MoM. As we made new friends in the community we worked with YesChefVillage hosting community dinners onsite, joined Localtopia for its huge local festival gathering, and conducted 178 MoM tours. Our internships were active with local Feminist Club high school students and another university graduate students completing final projects with MoM from different countries including Russia, Canada, England, and France. Finally, we enjoyed media attention from SpectrumBayNews9, the Tampa Bay Times (twice), and Authentic Florida. Finally, in September, we moved from our offices at the MOM Art Annex to The Factory in the arts district of St. Pete and opened our doors to the public. Our lease runs through July 2024. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

Our New Year 2024

January 2024 last call to view Alexia Nye Jackson’s Mother: The Job exhibit through January 15th onsite at The Factory. Then, MoM welcomes the Womb Project ‘Time-based Sculpture and Documentation’ with yarn by Madison Hendry.

January 15th New Board Members announced.

February 18th Feminist Pizza Party: as part of Dining for the Arts with Historic Kenwood.

March is Women’s History Month!

March 16 & 17 – MOM Art Annex Studio Tour as part of the AEHK.

March 22-24 – Annual MoM Conference: Threads of Connection – Sorry/Not Sorry featuring keynote speaker Courtney Kessel with an interactive site-responsive installation of “Fabric of Life” and the art of the doula and Madison Hendry with group-led conversations circles at the Mother Tree with community crochet, panel discussions, conference presentations, and local health & wellness exhibitions.

May is Mothers Month! Saint Petersburg Month of Photography – SPMOP (Local Photography Exhibit) in partnership with local artists.

June- July Geography of a Woman featuring Interiors “we are all pink inside” by Christen Clifford and the Goddesses of Malta.

This schedule is sure to blossom. If you are interested in getting involved with MoM as a volunteer, partner, collaborator, local sponsor, or through workshop or other participation, or if you’d like to share your time or expertise, please contact us! To make a donation to MoM go to our donation page please.

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This Is How We Do It: One Person, One Day At A Time With Inspiration For All – SUPPORT MoM! We NEED YOU NOW.

DONATE

Can you answer this question? How many people wept tears of gratitude on Saturday at the Museum of Motherhood, either because they felt ‘seen’, ‘heard’, or because they accessed the information they’d been seeking?

The answer is THREE, in addition to the other amazing people we had the pleasure of interacting with. We witnessed the overwhelmed military mom, a traveler from Dallas, and a son who recently lost his mother and was looking for connection. They all dabbed tears from their eyes. Since moving to The Factory in St Pete, we are greeting approximately 1,200 people a month with a mission of informing and inspiring lives while remaining free and open to the public. We are able to do this because of your generous donations.

The non-profit world is hard. It’s a fact that many museums struggle to maintain their collections, buildings and staff. MoM currently has over a dozen community volunteers, a devoted director, a strategic team for infrastructure building and fiscal growth, a commendable collection of mother-made art, and a mission of taking our rightful place in the museum world.

For twenty years, on a shoestring budget, with an unrelenting commitment to thrive, founder Martha Joy Rose has championed the Museum of Motherhood, first through its New York non-profit status with the Motherhood Foundation Inc, to the MaMaPaLooZa Festival, to the streets of Seneca Falls, to Manhattan College, to the Department of Gender and Sexuality at USF in Tampa, to St Petersburg, Florida.

In 2019, the MOM Art Annex 501c3 was approved for Florida non-profit status. Then, the pandemic. MoM pivoted to mentor eighteen interns from around the world with a variety of projects and made its facility available to over a dozen artists in residence supporting mother made art, literature, and performance. Post-pandemic, from 2022-2023, we conducted over 178 in-home tours featuring the artifacts in our permanent collection, hosted healthy community suppers for families in need, and participated in Localtopia. We were able to purchase the Mother Tree for our permanent collection in 2023 and make the transition from the MOM Art Annex office to The Factory in the Arts District of St. Pete.

The Time For MoM’s Sustainability Is Now

We are poised for success. Our ducks are in a row, our noses are clean and our strategy for success is in place. All we need now are the partnerships, dollars, and donors to take this museum production to legacy status. Our goals are to continue to build out community partnerships. This year we added the Fairgrounds St Pete, Heiress Gallery, Girls Rock St Pete, and Naaman Creative to our team of community collaborators.

Our space at The Factory is staffed and ready to greet you. Exhibitions since our opening in September have included Amy Wolf’s wearable collection, and Alexia Nye Jackson’s Mother: The Job. Plans are underway for our annual spring MoM Conference, and future exhibits with Madison Hendry and Christen Clifford.

Please Donate Today

Our Go Fund Me has launched with a goal of raising $30K. (These dollars have already been matched for our 2023 budget). Now we need to raise the rest! We will be using this money to pay our rent, keep our lights and phone on, and to make our website ADA compliant.

Donations can be made by Check and addressed to 538 28th St. N. St Petersburg, FL 33713, through our Go Fund Me, or on our website. Your support is critical to our success. LINK TO OUR GO FUND ME IS HERE.

Join our year-end fundraiser for the Museum of Motherhood! We need your support to keep the rent paid and the lights on!
Fundraiser Museum of Motherhood end of year 2023
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Membership and Year-End Donation Drive – the Museum of Motherhood Needs You!

Greetings Friends – MoM wants you to be part of this significant, empowering, and impactful outreach initiative. Help MoM build on our successes with you as our partner. Now is the time for our year-end membership and donation drive. Your memberships and donations are our main source of income, keeping us free and open to the public throughout the year. Because of you, we continue to reach people from around the world with this important project.

Significance: We are the first and only Museum of Motherhood in the world, elucidating the art, science, and herstory of women, mothers, and families inclusive of all reproductive identities.

Empowering: We connect with students, travelers, and families reminding them of our collective shared status, our origin stories, and the inherent creativity of the human experience for the empowerment of all.

Impactful: We are devoted to educating the world about the contributions and experience of m/others both historically and in contemporary culture. We intend to fill a longstanding void by focusing on the many roles of women and mothers through our exhibits, events, resource center, scholarship, and educational partnerships. We are taking our rightful place in the museum world.

WE NEED YOUR HELP MORE NOW THAN EVER

We are a grassroots non-profit that has been devoted to the art, science, and herstory of women, mother’s and families since 2003. We have exhibited in the City of Seneca Falls (where the Suffragettes marched for the vote) the UES of New York City, and in multiple universities.

Last year, founder Martha Joy Rose featured exhibits and invited visitors into her domain post-covid and conducted 178 home tours along with sponsoring the work of artists in residence, while hosting free healthful community suppers with YesChefVillage, and creating volunteer and mentorship opportunities with local high school students throughout the semester.

During this time, many of you joined our campaign to purchase the Mother Tree for our permanent collection. Because of you, we were successful. The Mother Tree will be on exhibit at MoM beginning December 2023.

Now, we need you again! Please help us sustain our MOMentum by securing our overhead expenses from January through July 2024. Our rent total is $24 K. Help us keep the doors open, the lights on, and meaningful engagement opportunities happening. These operational expenses must be met in order to continue our work. We believe that together we can do it!

MoM opened its doors at the Factory St. Pete in the warehouse arts district this September. We currently serve 1,200 visitors each month, maintaining our mission of being free and open to the public for those most in need of support, information, conversation, and inspiration.

MULTIPLE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Donation: Make a donation to MoM in any amount. No amount too small. DONATE

Membership: Join MoM with a membership. Multiple levels of participation are available. JOIN

Membership/Partnership: New Member Sign Up at the FairgroundsSt. Pete use code: MOM23 for free game add on at Fairgrounds St. Pete, as well as a free Activity Map at MoM. Or sign for a new MoM Membership for for add on experience at Fairgrounds! Sign up here with membership at MoM and/or follow links to Fairgrounds St. Pete Memberships.

Conference: Participate in our Annual Academic and Arts Conference. Call for participation is here. Early Bird Conference participation is: $150. SUBMIT

Shop: Go to our store to see new products! Order something online or come by our museum store in person. SHOP

Buy and Activity Map and Tour MoM: $11.50 PURCHASE

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE – STAY BLESSED – WE ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU THIS SEASON!

JOURNAL OF MOTHER STUDIES, CFP MoM CONFERENCE ’24, PODCASTS

The Journal of Mother Studies is now up online at JourMS.org. This 8th edition of the Journal elaborates on Maternal Landscapes from a variety of perspectives including the creative and the clinical. LINK TO JOURMS

Threads of Connection–Sorry/Not Sorry: Confronting mother (and other) blame–healing & resistance in contemporary culture and beyond

St. Petersburg, Florida & Online * March 22-24, 2024 * CFP – Deadline, Dec. 15th. Calling all scholars, artists, and community members for presentations and papers on the subject of mother (and other) blame, shame and pain, with a focus on resistance and healing. This international call for papers invites artists, sociologists, maternal psychologists, philosophers, anthropologists, women’s sexuality and gender professors, masculinity studies experts, birth-workers, doctors, researchers, students, and lay-people to share their work. SUBMIT

Podcasts are up with MoM Talks with My Sister. Seven episodes are posted now on a wide variety of topics. This internship project with Bethanie Dell (and her sister) have proved to be much more exciting than we ever could have anticipated! PODCAST PAGE

Stylin’ with Thee Heiress: 4th Tuesday of each month (starting Nov 28th). Help with your child’s hair. Are you able to manage your natural curls? We are here to help. Open to the community with expert guidance. All materials are provided. $30 requested donation but no one turned away for lack of funds. Register in advance please so we know how many hair kits to bring. Call 877-711-MOMS (6667) or write: INFO@MOMmuseum.org. Registration: using this link! 

Herstory/History on a cushion: Last Saturday of each month, Join Donika Vlada for history/herstory on a cushion at MoM. Sessions are 2-3:30 with stories, games, art-making, and discovery. Hands on activities offer fun and learning for ages 5 +. Pre-register by filling out our online form, emailing: INFO@MOMmuseum.org or by calling 877-711-MOMS (6667). Donations welcome. Parents can hang out in a chill environment or poke around The Factory.

GO TO OUR EVENTS PAGE TO SEE UPCOMING HAPPENINGS AT MOM

Event Page with LOVE!