Last Updated on February 15, 2024
Did you know you could study motherhood at the Museum of Motherhood in Florida?
A Museum of Motherhood – What’s That?
The Museum of Motherhood is the first and only facility in the world devoted to the subject of mothers, mothering, and motherhood.
The Founder of M.O.M, Joy Rose
In 2002, Founder Martha “Joy” Rose started the Mamapalooza Festival, which moved to 25 cities promoting moms who rock internationally.
Formerly a rock and roller, concert promoter, and academic, Joy toured with her band, Housewives On Prozac from 1998 – 2008.
She enjoyed appearances on Good Morning America, CNN, and multiple media outlets before turning her attention to channeling mother-made art into an exhibition center.
History of the Museum of Motherhood
In 2010, Joy, aided by a team of academics and businesswomen, started the first-ever Museum of Motherhood on the Upper Eastside of Manhattan.
Relationships with local universities followed, and students became interested in studying the art, science, and history of mothers, mothering, and motherhood.
M.O.M. became a destination point for thousands of travelers in New York City.
St. Pete or Bust
When it came time for a BIG move, Joy wanted to be closer to her family in the St. Pete / Tampa area.
Joy is the mother of four (adult) children including Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ now retired Pro-Bowl & SuperBowl winning champ Ali Marpet, son Brody Marpet (who is part of Gaspar’s Rum in Ybor City), son Blaze and daughter Zena.
MOM Art Annex in St. Pete
In 2017, Joy moved the museum to the Artist Enclave of Historic Kenwood (St. Petersburg, FL) to continue her work and be nearer to her sons.
A 1920s bungalow serves as an artist residency space for ongoing exhibitions on motherhood, where students and researchers further their work about mothers and families.
“I have an ongoing interest in how mothers contribute to the social and economic fabric of American culture as well as the individual struggles women who are mothers experience,” says Joy.
The Museum of Motherhood is registered as a 501c3 non-profit. The focus is on inspiring and informing lives with exhibitions, education, internships, and residencies online and at the MOM Art Annex in St. Petersburg, Florida.
The annual academic “I Love MOM” Conference takes place each year in partnership with the USF Women’s and Gender Studies Department in St. Petersburg and Tampa.
The MOM Art Annex in St. Pete conducts daily free tours for up to six people by advance registration.
It also opens its doors yearly in the AEHK annual Artist Studio Tour.
Music of Motherhood
In 2018, Rose completed the Music of Motherhood (Demeter Press) and edited a collection of essays about art and motherhood.
TIPS:
- The museum conducts daily free tours for up to six people by advance registration only.
- It opens its doors yearly in the AEHK annual Artist Studio Tour.
- Most of the space features a permanent collection.
- The museum features Mother The Job and the Art of Motherhood from around the world.
- They accept donations and residencies by application only.
The Museum of Motherhood is at 538 28th St. North St. Pete, Florida 33713 in St. Pete’s historic Kenwood district.
Tours are by appointment only and can also be made online by writing [email protected] or by calling 207.504.3001.
For more information, visit: www.MOMmuseum.org
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