By Fraser Dahdouh
AN art studio which doubles as a child care service will be trialled in Nailsworth later this month by a Stroud performance artist.

Dyana Gravina, founder of London's first integrated art studio and child care centre, The Mother House will be piloting the scheme from August 7-18 in Nailsworth Town Hall.

The Mother House and parent organisation, the Procreate Project will be collaborating with Sharon Bennett and Rebecca Stapleford to open the studio which will be open from 9.30am to 4pm.

"The project exists to address the disparity between female and male artists within studios by providing the means and infrastructure for mothers to work independently or alongside their children,” said Dyana, who states that while the studio is for mothers and children, the whole family can benefit from the experience.

"The husband of one of our mothers in London was so impressed by the difference in their home environment that he offered to write a new business plan for us. 

"We are also developing creative and supportive networks where they can produce highly regarded artwork."

Work as both a performance artist and producer of films and festivals have given Dyana the necessary skills to move ahead with the Procreate Project in London, but she says that her inspiration for the project came from pregnancy and experience as a mother.

In the future, her plan is to extend the franchise of the facilities to include the whole community, by offering classes and weekend open days.

Dyana also explained that the studio provides a therapeutic environment.

One mother who attended the London studio told Dyana of her battle with depression and how she was struggling with a bad relationship with her son. 

After a week of bringing her son to the studios, she explained to Dyana how the positive change of environment caused her maternal relationship to improve, allowing her art to flourish. 

Dyana made it clear that the environment has proved very productive, in both the quality and quantity of work: "Many art festivals and galleries in London have showcased the art produced in our studios, so it's not just The Mother House that displays the work." 

The team are optimistic about next week's opening in Nailsworth, with all three women being heavily involved in the area’s art scene.

They hope to make a success of their 'very ambitious but poignant' project, in a bid to lead the way for a better future for women artists in the Five Valleys.