Tea Haunt Canvas: Bringing Fine Art and Culture to Hartford

by Lily Yu
DTHartford Staff

       In downtown Hartford off Trumbull Street lays a quiet, fine art gallery and tea house. But inside is an explosion of life. Tea Haunt Canvas is a place where people can calm their mind, reflect upon their thoughts and enjoy the fine arts that bring color and culture to life. 
        This fine art gallery and tea house is owned by Parvin Pooya. Pooya grew up as a child in Iran, a country that seemed to constantly be at war. During rough times the people of her homeland, family, and herself survived because they looked to culture and arts as a comfort, a hope. It brought everyone together and made a strong unity. When Iran was invaded by the Arabs, they made structures against many of the ancient images, arts and crafts. As a child, she and her family kept those traditions of music and painting. During Tea Time was a time for understanding and loving each other.

        Pooya had the idea to share this great experience with the Hartford area in the Fall of 2011. She believes that people nowadays find themselves too busy to find spare time for themselves. Pooya explained that the steam of Persian tea told everyone how good it would be if we spent time with each other helping and solving our daily life problems, sharing our happiness or sorrows, or whatever decision one may be facing.

        “For most Iranians, brewing Persian tea with a special machine named a Samovar, means a time for chit chatting, laughing and enjoying. Tea time is a relaxing time after hard work that assists us in finishing a crazy day behind closed doors,” Pooya said. 
         Growing up, Tea time with her father was a large part of her childhood as she was growing up, and she would like to be able to share this experience with society. “When we allocate time for each other we can move the mountains, make history and art. Today we are carried along the current of modern civiliazation; our crucial problems will be disappeared by spending time with each other even for five minutes having tea together and enjoying the art works and sharing our new poem, introducing a new artist or a literary man,” Pooya stated.

       The gallery is very refreshing. “Each wall is such a clean white and each painting stands for its own space, it takes over your eyes. Each painting is full of strong colors and movements. I really liked the fact that it has tables in the middle of the gallery and you can sit down and enjoy some tea, mocha, or whatever refreshments are available,” said nineteen-year-old Lauren Novella.

       “I’m not sure if I understand life in a new way by simply drinking tea and looking at someone’s art work; but I think it’s great to take the time to let my mind settle and to just think about different things. Being able to not worry about everything in my life at once lets my mind expand, be creative, be thoughtful, it gives me time to actually appreciate life,” said nineteen-year-old Briana Torres.

       There is another tea house around the corner and several art galleries located throughout downtown Hartford, but there are no shops that have both. To experience Tea Haunt Canvas or to find out more information visit: http://teahauntcanvas.com/. They can also be found on their Facebook page under Tea Haunt Canvas.

Hours:

Monday-Sunday: 9:00 am- 4:00 pm

Saturday: 10:00 am- 1:00 pm

The House of a Well Known Man

by Chelsey Mooney
DTHartford Staff

HARTFORD, CONN. -- In Hartford, Connecticut a major known land mark  is the Mark Twain House and its Museum, which gives a background on this amazing legend of a man.  Everybody knows who Mark Twain is, the well-known famous novelist of Innocents Abroad and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.  These two places have a representation of this single figured man who has passed away, but there are people who are still passionate about his story and his work. So for all of the supporters of the house and for the museum to stay up and running successfully, what is in it for them to keep supporting?

Residents and visitors who live in Hartford or who want to visit the Hartford area, will almost always have the opportunity to visit the Mark Twain House and Museum. But why would they visit? To see the historical landmark, yes, but how many times can you see the same house and museum and still be amused and entertained when you know exactly what to expect? 

Melani Maxwell, 22, a senior at the University of Hartford says “I’m not an expert but, I find new things to set my eye every time I visit.  It is enjoyable for me when I go because I want to be there and seek different attractions added to the museum or house. College students who visit just need to absorb in the information displayed.” 

Maxwell makes it seem so simple to visit and take in the knowledge and had a greater understanding for the purposes of the museum and why people donate and support the Mark Twain landmarks.  

During the night of the Oscars, AIDS Connecticut hosted the “Oscar Experience” at the Mark Twain House.  This gave the community and public a chance to visit the Twain location for a reason out of the ordinary.  This Oscar Experience was a hit. Tickets were $50 for general admission and $100 for VIP treatment.  

David Caesar, 26, originally from Long Island, moved to Hartford about four years ago.  He commented on what he thinks of the museum and about the Oscars event.  “I believe that the museum is great for cultural and historical uses.  I’ve been there about six times and they hold events or reading every month.  The Oscar party was a smart event.  They probably raised a decent amount of money on general admission and celebrities probably gave extra generous donations." The event was a blast and was hosted for about 300 guests. For pictures, donations, and news on how the Oscar Experience went please feel free to visit www.aids-ct.org

The coordinators of the Mark Twain functions are always planning and scheduling guest speakers and events where the community can come out and gain knowledge about that certain topic or event.  How do they find these special guests or activities to do? 

Being such a successful Museum and cultural landmark, they have generous supporters such as The Annenberg Foundation, The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, ING and several more that support them and help them spread the message they want the community to receive about the Mark Twain Museum and House.  

At the Twain Museum in the month of May, there will be three different dates that a Saturday Afternoon Writers Workshop will be held. It is a three hour workshop to learn more about craft and business writing. Admission is $40 and if there are any further questions please contact 860-280-3130.

On the website (www.marktwainhouse.org) they have previews and dates of upcoming events of what is going to be hosted.

The Mark Twain House and Museum is versatile and is always open to the community!