Art collective for Frome based mothers launches pop-up shop

A LOCAL community co-operative, MotherMaker, which brings together artists and craftspeople who wish to pursue their skills alongside raising a family, is launching a pop-up shop in Frome.

The group have secured the use of Pop on Cheap Street for two months as a takeover between 31st March and 28th May. The shop will be showcasing emerging talent as well as professional work from artists returning to their practice post children. Pop will continue to trade online and will be back in person in June.

“From jewellery to homeware, children’s clothes to paintings, the shop’s eclectic vibe will be balanced by the overarching vision for the project,” said the founder of the group, Jessica Francombe. “By forming a collective we can support and nourish creative practice in a culture where the work of mothers as artists is undervalued, underpaid and under-represented.

“There are many obstacles to mothers continuing an arts practice and there are huge imbalance and inequality in the sector. By coming together as a group, we can remove some of the basic barriers to mothers making and selling their work. By splitting the cost, the time, and the risk we make it appealing to put yourself out there, try something new, or return to an existing practice. You don’t have to have lots of stock, an online presence or lashings of child free time.”

If you or someone you know would like to be part of this initiative then please get in touch with the project manager Runa Ayres on, runaginny@ hotmail.co.uk

Pictured: MotherMaker gallery residency at Black Swan last year.