At Laura U Design Collective, we believe that meaningful design, art, and culture are created when we support people holistically. That belief guides how we work, who we collaborate with, and what we choose to stand behind. It is also why we are proud to champion Ramona: Supporting Artist Mothers, which is an inaugural fundraising exhibition celebrating and sustaining the work of artist mothers through Ramona Residency. Ramona Residency is the first and only artist residency in Texas dedicated exclusively to artist mothers. We encourage you to read all about the exhibition below, follow along on social media, and see the show before it closes on the 20th.
Why Supporting Mothers in the Arts Matters
Throughout history, artist mothers have shaped culture in profound ways, often while working against systems that failed to support them or even intentionally suppressed them. Artists like Ruth Asawa (who balanced an expansive artistic practice with raising six children) demonstrated that caregiving and creative excellence are not opposing forces, but deeply intertwined ones.
From Berthe Morisot and Käthe Kollwitz to more contemporary figures like Carmen Herrera and Betye Saar, countless women have sustained their work alongside motherhood and often in partnership with it. In most cases, they have done so without institutional recognition, financial support, or the time afforded to their peers. Their legacies remind us that when artist mothers are given the resources to thrive, the cultural impact is enduring and transformative.
Ramona Residency builds on this lineage, not by asking mothers to overcome structural barriers alone, but by intentionally designing support systems that honor caregiving as an essential part of artistic life.
About Ramona Residency and Its Advocacy
Founded in 2024 by Sarah Sudhoff, Ramona Residency was created to address a long-standing gap in the arts ecosystem: the lack of structural support for artists who are also caregivers yet have boundless creativity and much to share through their work. Over the past two years, Ramona has hosted ten artist mothers and their families in its 6th Ward residency house, offering not only time and space to create, but a model that recognizes caregiving as integral to artistic practice rather than a barrier to it.
The Ramona Fundraising Exhibition brings this mission into public view. On display is work from former, current, and future Ramona residents alongside Houston-based artist mothers, forming a multigenerational and deeply interconnected exhibition. Each participating artist has generously donated between 50–100% of proceeds from their work to directly support Ramona and future resident. This act collective investment both mirrors the residency’s core values and reflects ours at LUDC.
Participating Artists
These exhibitions include work by artists Cassie Arnold, Beatriz Bellorin, Megan Harrison, Tamar Ettun, Sepideh T. Dashti, Monika Meler, Raisa Nosov, Cristina Velasquez, and many others whose practices span material, conceptual, and social approaches. Some are textile artists, others are photographers and still others create installations. This is truly a multidisciplinary exhibition. Their work has been developed through a mix of graduate study, previous jobs in the industry, and sustained independent work. Together, these pieces reflect not only individual artistic voices, but also a shared commitment to sustainability, care, and community.
Supporting Ramona feels deeply aligned with how we think about creative practice across disciplines. Architecture, interiors, and art all depend on time, trust, and the freedom to imagine. Time, trust, and freedom are often considered innate or “rightful. But when it comes to women in the art world (especially mothers), they are more accurately viewed as “resources”. And these resources are unevenly distributed. Ramona Residency is a compelling example of what is possible for women artists when systems are redesigned with real life (and true equality) in mind.
Attending Ramona: Supporting Artist Mothers
The exhibition opened with a reception on Friday, December 5 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, which our team at LUDC attended. That event was followed by artist talks and a walkthrough on Saturday, December 6 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. Works will be continue to be on view from December 5th through 20th, 2025, at Throughline Collective, which is located at 3909 Main Street in Houston.
We encourage our community to experience this exhibition, support the artists, and learn more about Ramona Residency’s incredibly important work. Investing in artist mothers is an act of equity, but it’s also an investment in a richer, more sustainable cultural future for all of us.
How to Support Ramona
Works from the exhibition are available for purchase in person and online, with proceeds directly supporting Ramona Residency and future artist mothers. Purchasing work is one way to contribute, and it has a direct impact on the residency’s ability to continue.
Donations to Ramona Residency can also be made directly through the organization. Contributions support housing, stipends, and program costs for upcoming residents and help ensure the residency can continue operating on its current terms.
More information about the exhibition, available works, and donation options can be found through Ramona Residency’s website or by contacting ramonaresidency@gmail.com.