Mother to Mother is a Kwanzaa Collective UK* exhibition which centres the voices and stories of mothers raising children of colour. Developed through a series of creative journaling and wellbeing sessions with ten mothers in 2021, this exhibition combines poetry, photography, and audio to share the successes and challenges of women of different ages and races joined by their experience of mothering a child of colour in Staffordshire.  

A programme of workshops curated by poet Gabriella Gay will run alongside the exhibition. Please see below for information.

Mother to Mother is a collaboration between Kwanzaa Collective UK and Restoke. It is part of Restoke’s MOTHER project funded by Arts Council England and Awards for All.   

Kwanzaa Collective UK *  - Based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, Kwanzaa Collective UK * is an association of artists, activists, and academics of colour. Through creativity, collective activism, and collaboration they aim to amplify the voices of black and brown people. 

Restoke put the people of Stoke-on-Trent at the heart of creative adventures. They make performances and co-create events that tackle social issues affecting their communities. Restoke bring people together who may not usually meet, forming bonds of friendship, understanding and solidarity in the city.

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In celebration of Mother to Mother, an exhibition currently at Chapters Keele, which centres the voices and stories of mothers raising children of colour, we invite you to a series of free creative workshops that that create a supportive space for mothers. We will use painting, poetry, print and journaling to prioritise our wellbeing needs and acknowledge our daily ‘mama’ role joys, challenges, skills, and successes.  

Join us for two creative workshops led by mothers and a Mother to Mother celebration gathering on Tuesday 26th April from 5pm. For the workshops, bring a pencil, and anything else you would like to use to make you feel creative. Don’t worry if you don’t have anything or much, all other materials will be provided.

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Session 1
12 April 2022       
5-6.30pm in person for all mothers
AND 7.30-8.30pm online (specifically for mothers of children of colour)
Chapter's Cafe, Union Square, Keele University
FREE - no booking required

Coffee Painting and Poetry session with Gabriella Gay   

Join poet Gabriella Gay for this painting and poetry session based around experiences of Motherhood.  Gabriella is mother and page-stage poet and creative producer who is regularly commissioned to perform, write, organise events and facilitate workshops for a wide range of organisations. She is a founding member of Kwanzas Collective UK, and leads Staffordshire's Roaming Poets.  She is interested amplifying the voices of overlooked people and places.  

Please note – for online session you will need instant coffee and a paintbrush.

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Session 2
19 April 2022
5 - 6.30pm in person for all mothers
Chapter's Cafe, Union Square, Keele University
FREE - no booking required

Relief Printing with Chris Reader 

Join artist Chris Reader in this printing workshop based around parenting and motherhood. Chris Reader is a mother, photographer, illustrator, and ceramicist. She facilitates the Stoke branch of the Social Art Network and creatively creates connection between artists through Art Lunch.

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Mother to Mother celebration
26 April 2022 5-7pm 
Open to all

Join us for a Mother to Mother gathering at Chapters Keele. We’ll celebrate the exhibition, the workshops and our parenting joys, skills, and successes. 

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