Adrien Broom’s ‘Holding Space’ photography exhibit to open at Mark Twain House & Museum in June 2025
Holding Space: The Historic Homes of Artists and Writers Interpreted by Adrien Broom
Mark Twain House & Museum • 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut
Open reception May 29, 2025 • 5 pm – 7 pm
Click here to purchase tickets
Holding Space: The Historic Homes of Artists and Writers Interpreted by Adrien Broom
The Mark Twain House & Museum is pleased to present Holding Space: The Historic Homes of Artists and Writers Interpreted by Adrien Broom, a solo exhibition by renowned photographer Adrien Broom. The exhibition will feature 56 cinematic photographs that blend historical research, artistic interpretation, and evocative storytelling. A free opening reception will be held at the museum (351 Farmington Avenue in Hartford, CT) on Thursday, May 29 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
For over seven years, Broom has meticulously researched and immersed herself in the spaces where some of the world’s greatest literary and artistic minds once lived and created. Working with institutions such as The Mark Twain House, the Edward Hopper House, the Pollock-Krasner Home and Studio, the Emily Dickinson House, the Edward Gorey House, Gillette Castle, the Alice Austen House, and the Florence Griswold House, she has crafted a body of work that not only captures the spirit of these places but reimagines the creative forces that once inhabited them.
Her journey into this project began with an unexpected experience. “I spent four weeks living and creating artwork at Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire, England. Once the largest private estate in England, the owners accepted me as a sort of artist-in-residence at the time. The building itself became my collaborator, and I was deeply inspired by the connection between its history and my own creative process. When I returned, I started researching other historic homes and realized that the places that resonated most with me were not just grand estates—they were the homes preserved because of the artists and writers who had lived there. That’s when I decided to devote all my energy to this project, to collaborating with these houses and the creatives who once called them home.”
Broom’s photographic process is highly immersive and cinematic. She casts actors to portray these legendary figures and the significant people in their lives, constructing scenes that intertwine historical fact, artistic interpretation, and personal imagination. From theatrical casting sites and open calls to personal recommendations, each selection is carefully considered to bring authenticity to the work.
One of the most poignant images in Holding Space is from the Emily Dickinson House, a place that held deep inspiration for Broom. “One of my favorite pieces is a portrait of Emily Dickinson sitting at her desk, daydreaming out the window, enveloped by roses that seem to emerge from the wallpaper itself. The wallpaper in the image is an exact match to the pattern that originally adorned her home. I was drawn to her connection to nature, her reflections on human existence, and her solitude. I wanted to bring all of that to life in this image, to intertwine her world with the world she wrote about.”
This exhibition is endorsed by all the historic house museums involved, recognizing its role in preserving and reimagining the artistic legacies of these spaces. The Mark Twain House &Museum, a landmark of American literary history, serves as the perfect venue to debut Holding Space. The exhibition offers an experience for art lovers, history buffs, literature enthusiasts, and collectors alike—anyone who seeks to engage with the past in a vivid and imaginative way.
Adrien Broom is a fine art and commercial photographer known for her strikingly atmospheric and fantastical imagery. Her work has been exhibited internationally at institutions such as the Florence Griswold Museum, the Hudson River Museum, and Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art, among others. She combines photography, set design, and narrative storytelling to create immersive visual experiences.
The exhibition will be open to the public seven days a week starting May 30, 2025 from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Admission to the exhibition is included with regular and specialty Mark Twain House tour tickets. Museum Center-only admission that includes Holding Space is also available. For more information, please visit MarkTwainHouse.org.
The exhibition of Holding Space: The Historic Homes of Artists and Writers Interpreted by Adrien Broom at The Mark Twain House & Museum is sponsored by The Maximilian E. & Marion O. Hoffman Foundation with additional support provide by Webster Bank; the Connecticut State Legislature, administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts; and Baboo Fine Art Printing.
Don’t Miss
• Hit Broadway musical Some Like It Hot is coming to the Bushnell starting April 29
• MoCA CT announced photographer Tod Papageorge exhibit
• The Bushnell Unveils an Exciting 2025-2026 Broadway Season: From The Notebook to Water for Elephants
hare your Hartford experience with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here for the latest news in Hartford
Click here for the upcoming events in Hartford
Click here for the latest news in Hartford County
Click here for the upcoming events in Hartford County
Click here for Hartford Merch
#theartfordlife • 860 Hartford • I Clover Hartford • I’d rather be in Hartford • I Really Really Miss Hartford • Just a kid from Hartford • Hartord Coordinates • Hartford Pride
Click here for Hartford County Merch
•••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••
Connecticut Merch
If you’re from Connecticut or just love it, then you’ve come to the right place. Show your state pride with our assortment of unique Connecticut merchandise.
Our popular collections 203 • Two o’ Three • 860 • Eight Six O’ • I Really Really Miss Connecticut • Just a kid from Connecticut • Pride • Love & Live • Connecticut Fall
We also have merch by town, not all towns are available yet. You can always contact us and we can order the design you are looking for.
Save 10% on all products with promo code Post10. Always free shipping
AMG Catering & Events Spring Cooking Schedule
4/9 – Boozy Brunch with sipstirs – Click here for more information
4/30 – Cinco de Mayo Class – Click here for more information
5/14 – Spring Sauce Class – Click here for more information
5/21 – Hibachi / Blackstone Class — Click here for more information
The Record Company Live at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den on April 12, 2025
Don’t miss the chance to see The Record Company perform live at the legendary Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den on April 12, 2025. Known for their electrifying blend of blues, rock, and soul, The Record Company delivers an unforgettable live performance every time. Click here for more information.
Gourmet Cookies
Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!
Hartford Wolf Pack March home games
4.11.25 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Providence Bruins click here to purchase tickets
4.16.25 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Charlotte Checkers click here to purchase tickets
4.18.25 – Hartford Wolf Pack vs Bridgeport Islanders click here to purchase tickets
Movie showtimes at Prospector Theater
Looking to see a movie. Click here for showtimes
Save on CBD!
My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.
Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.
Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats
Let’s create with Victory Designs
Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.
Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!
Connecticut with us!
Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.
Stay connected with us on social media
Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Google News • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community
Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram
Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page
Don’t miss our reviews
Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews
Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events
Latest news by region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • Middlesex County • New Haven County • New London County• Tolland County • Windham County
Latest sports news by team
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns •
2025 schedules
Hartford Wolf Pack • Hartford Yard Goats • Connecticut Sun • Norwich Sea Unicorns
Events by region
Fairfield County • Hartford County • Litchfield County • New Haven County • New London County • Middlesex County • Tolland County • Windham County
Events by Interest
Art • Sports • Family Friendly • History • Concerts • Farmers’ Markets
Events by the month
March 2025 • April 2025 • May 2025 • June 2025 • July 2025 • August 2025 • September 2025 • October 2025 • November 2025 • December 2025
Events by venue
College Street Music Hall • Space Ballroom • Westville Music Bowl • District Music Hall • Fairfield Theatre Company • Hartford Stage • The Bushnell • Goodspeed Opera House • Mohegan Sun • Foxwoods • New York Comedy Club Stamford • Westport Country Playhouse • Goodspeed Opera House