Making Space: Artists on Motherhood and Creative Practice

Join us for a panel discussion exploring the rich intersection of motherhood and creativity. This evening brings together working artists and mothers Melinda Hurst Frye, Adair Rutledge, and Arielle Simmons (who also brings her perspective as a curator) to share their experiences on sustaining artistic practices while navigating the daily realities of raising children.

The conversation will examine how the roles of artist and caregiver intersect, inform, and sometimes compete with one another. Whether you're an artist, parent, or simply interested in how life experiences shape creative expression, this dialogue offers both inspiration and practical wisdom from artists living this balance daily.

This panel is presented in conjunction with The Seattle Light Room's exhibition Nurturance & Ambition: Motherhood in Photography, featuring work by PCNW students and faculty members Anna Ream and Annabel Clark (on view November 6-29, 2025).

Participant Bios:

Melinda Hurst Frye photographically celebrates the ecology of the Pacific Northwest region, with the goals of providing visual evidence of the cycles of the forest floor, bearing witness to the understory, and bridging the poetry of art with biological sciences.

Adair Freeman Rutledge is a photographic artist whose work questions enduring traditions. Through a curious and feminist lens, she examines how American customs influence expectations for our youth, shape gender roles, and impact racial stereotypes.

Arielle Simmons is the Curator of Seattle University's Hedreen Gallery. Her research interests include the ethical praxis of curation and documentary photography. As a photographer, she explores the aesthetics and performance of gender.

Image credits: L-R: Melinda Hurst Frye, Adair Freeman Rutledge, Arielle Simmons

Host or Publisher Photographic Center Northwest