Motherhood is everywhere—on the streets, in homes, in offices—but it’s rarely seen in the art world, at least not in a way that truly represents the lived experience of being a mother. That’s what Nurture, a new exhibition at Woodend Gallery in Scarborough, is set to change.
Running from Friday, 21st March to Saturday, 24th May 2025, this exhibition is not just about showing art—it’s about telling stories, sharing struggles, and celebrating caregiving in all its forms. Many of the featured artists are mothers who, because of their caregiving responsibilities, haven’t had the time or opportunity to display their work before.
Curated by Crescent Arts in collaboration with Feed, an arts-based project focused on inclusive and sustainable approaches to infant feeding, Nurture is more than just an exhibition—it’s a movement.
A Seat Designed for Every Parent
One of the exhibition’s highlights is the Feeding Chair, a beautifully designed and functional piece of public art that serves as both a comfortable seat for feeding infants and an information hub for parents and caregivers. Created by In Certain Places, a public art group from the University of Central Lancashire, this chair has travelled to different locations, sparking important conversations about feeding babies in public spaces.
This will be the first time the Feeding Chair visits a seaside town, bringing much-needed discussions about parenting and public space to Scarborough.
Accompanying the chair is the Floor Flag, an inviting space designed by Sally Sutherland, based on conversations with infant feeding activists. There’s also a co-created soundscape by poet Charlotte Oliver, featuring voices from the Scarborough community, adding another layer of depth to the exhibition.
The Artists Sharing Their Stories
The exhibition features a diverse lineup of artists, all with unique perspectives on caregiving and motherhood:
- Alia Gargum
- Charlotte Warne Thomas
- Christine Benson
- Ella Calvert
- Frankie Cluney
- Hairy Triangle
- Hayley Gibbs
- Jacqui Barrowcliffe
- Jade E Gilbert
- Jen Workman
- Joanna Jowett
- Kübra Müjde
- Laura Fooks
- Leah Stewart
- Nicola Garvey
- Rebecca Riley
- Rebecca Snow
- Rhiannon Lewando
- Jessica Finch
- Sylwia Ciszewska-Peciak
Each of these artists brings a different story—some joyful, some challenging, but all deeply personal and powerful.
As Joel Hague, Curator and Programme Co-Ordinator from Crescent Arts, puts it:
“In Certain Places invited us to work with her and we’ve built this whole world around the Feeding Chair, through the community drop-in sessions, the workshops, the open call. I’m really proud of this exhibition and all the artists involved…”
Special Events to Mark the Occasion
Nurture isn’t just about looking at art—it’s about experiencing it, discussing it, and even creating some of your own. A series of workshops and screenings will run alongside the exhibition, offering deeper insight into the themes of caregiving, motherhood, and identity.
🎥 Scarborough Film Festival Screenings
📍 Woodend Gallery
- The Taste of Mango – Sunday, 23rd March, 10:30 AM
- Directed by Chloe Abrahams, this documentary is an intimate exploration of family, memory, and identity, featuring three generations of women.
- Milk Report 2025 + Q&A – Sunday, 23rd March, 1:30 PM
- This short film by Conway and Young examines the politics of care through the act of feeding a baby. The screening will be followed by a discussion and a tour of the Nurture exhibition.
✍️ Creative Workshops
📍 Woodend Gallery
🖋️ Nurturing Words with Charlotte Oliver
📅 Saturday, 5th April
A poetry-writing workshop exploring the joys and challenges of feeding babies in public. Participants will have a chance to step outside their daily caregiving roles and reflect creatively. Childcare grants are available, but feeding babies are, of course, welcome.
🪡 Embroidered Poetry with Hayley Mills-Styles
📅 Friday, 25th April
A hands-on workshop where participants will learn to stitch poetry onto fabric. Perfect for beginners and experienced embroiderers alike.
