upcoming!
upcoming!
EXHIBITIONS
EXHIBITIONS
All of our exhibitions explore the relationship between making art and the maternal experience, which includes experiences of child loss and infertility.
Our current research looks at mess within this context where it becomes not just an aesthetic but a condition; an obstacle; a form of critique; a mode of play; a process of creation; an act of revolution.
In March 2025, we staged Sorry about the mess, an exhibition of artists and writers who are also mothers, in Meta’s former headquarters at 125 Shaftesbury Avenue. The exhibition was supported by Bow Arts and accompanied by a public programme of events and workshops. Find out more on our Archive page.
Sorry about the mess #2
An exhibition of artists who are also mothers
Birmingham School of Art
1st to 23rd October 2026
OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
The show will continue our exploration into the theme of mess within the context of motherhood. We are interested in mess not just as an aesthetic but a condition; an obstacle; a form of critique; a mode of play; a process of creation; an act of revolution.
Who’s eligible?
We are looking for work by Midlands-based artists, who identify as mothers and/or have experienced infertility issues and/or child loss. The work itself does not have to be about the maternal experience, but it is the context in which it’s made.
What do we mean when we say the Midlands?
East Midlands: Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Rutland
West Midlands: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands, Worcestershire
We are particularly interested in work that’s some (or all of these) of things:
- tactile
- large-scale
- interdisciplinary
- performative
- subversive
- a little bit strange
Submissions are now closed
BABE STATION LIVE
BABE STATION LIVE
Babe Station Live in a roaming series of literary and art events featuring readings and performances by writers and artists who identify as mothers or have experienced child loss.
Acknowledging the difficulty of making work around parenting, we are particularly interested in work that is evolving, fragmented and incomplete, in first drafts and developing ideas, in pieces that expand genre and form, that embrace uncertainty and experimentation. This might include but is not limited to fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, conversations, sound elements and performance.
Performers are selected through an open call and receive a share of ticket sales.
Babe Station Live #3
Newlyn Art Gallery, Cornwall
15 August 2026
OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
Coinciding with Caroline Walker’s exhibition ‘Mothering’, this event will take the theme of care(lessness). Think nurturing, twisted, romantic, platonic, interspecies relationships; rituals, spells and remedies; vulnerability and exposure; indifference and ill behaviour; indulgences and overspills.
We are looking for text and/or sound-based works by writers, artists and performers who identify as mothers, have experienced fertility issues or child loss, but the work itself does not have to be about the maternal experience.
We are particularly interested in work that is evolving, fragmented and incomplete, in first drafts and developing ideas, in pieces that expand genre and form, that embrace uncertainty, experimentation and subversion. This might include but is not limited to fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, conversations and sound elements. While we will welcome performance work, please note that space is limited. You are welcome to apply as an individual, duo or small collective.
For more information and to submit please complete this Google form. Any submissions sent via Instagram or email will not be considered. If you have any questions or require a different format for submission, please contact hello@babestation.org.uk
Submissions close 10.07.2026.
Artist Development programme
Artist Development programme
OPEN CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS
Applications open: 7 July 2026
Deadline: 2 August 2026
Programme dates: 3nd November - 20th November
We are looking for six artists who are parents or caregivers to join an international online Artist Development Programme (ADP) — a three-week opportunity designed to inspire, affirm and professionally support artist parents and caregivers across Scotland, England and Germany (two participants from each country). We embrace an expansive understanding of these identities, including those who have experienced pregnancy or child loss, infertility or who form family in atypical ways e.g. through kinship care, chosen family etc. We also include those who are caring for family or friends of any age.
Through mentorship, creative exchange, critical feedback and peer connection, participants will develop their practice within a supportive international cohort. The programme culminates in an online public showcase, followed by a publication and reunion session. All participants will receive an honorarium of £330 to support their participation.
We welcome applications from artists at any stage of their practice, working across visual art, performance, socially engaged practice, and interdisciplinary work. We are particularly interested in applicants whose practice engages with themes of care, caregiving, identity, labour, or family — though this is not a requirement.
The opportunity is open to people at any stage of their creative journey. We do not expect you to have a fully realised practice or an established arts career. We are interested in what this development programme will bring to you as a creative practitioner.
Full details of the open call are available via this Google doc.
What participants can expect
A three-week online programme in November 2026, combining 1 x live group session per week with independent creative tasks
1:1 mentorship and critical feedback from Rebecca Livesey-Wright, founder of Kinfolk Families (Scotland), Magdalena Kallenberger, artist, researcher and co-founder of MATERNAL FANTASIES (Germany) and Millie Walton, founder of Babe Station (England)
Connection with a peer cohort of five other artist parents and caregivers across three countries
An opportunity to test and develop new work within a supportive international context
Participation in an online public showcase in November 2026
Inclusion in a publication documenting the programme's themes and learning
An online reunion session in February 2027
An honorarium of £330 to support participation in the programme
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your application via this Google form.
We are a small, part time team of freelancers so we prefer applications in this format to minimise administration, but if this is not accessible for you, please email your answers to hello@kinfolkfamilies.info as a Google doc, with “application to ADP” in the subject line.
The Artist Development Programme is delivered by Rebecca Livesey-Wright (Kinfolk Families) in partnership with Millie Walton (Babe Station) and Magdalena Kallenberger (MATERNAL FANTASIES) and is funded by the Four Nations International Fund through Arts Council England, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts Council Wales, Creative Scotland and Wales Arts International.
WORKSHOPS
WORKSHOPS
We are excited to launch a new programme of online creative workshops exploring a range of themes around motherhood and art-making. Led by writers, artists, designers, musicians, psychotherapists, philosophers and historians, these workshops invite dialogue, reflection and experimentation through hands-on exercises and curated reading lists. Groups are intentionally small, creating a focused space for learning, play and shared conversation.
Babe Station has also designed and facilitated interdisciplinary workshops at a wide range of venues, including a series of free writing workshops for new mothers at Phlox Books in Leyton, London.
Sex in Motherhood
What happens to desire when there’s a baby in the bedroom?
An explorative workshop led by writer and founder of Babe Station Millie Walton and existential psychotherapist Anna Walton.
Online workshop (Zoom)
19 August 2026
Further details to be announced.