Artists’ Homes and Studios Offer Sanctuary and Inspiration by Cynthia Close (Art New England)

“Some artists’ homes reach cult status, becoming tourist destinations like Casa Azul, the home and studio in Mexico City of the much-loved painter Frida Kahlo (1907–1954). For those who find the allure of visiting a site that fostered an artists’ creativity hard to resist, Historic Artists’ Homes & Studios (HAHS), a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, offers a wealth of guidance. This national network of sixty-one sites across the United States recently announced the addition of nineteen affiliate members, bringing their total membership to eighty, the largest expansion of the organization since its founding in 2000, making their 25th anniversary in 2025 something to celebrate. Art New England spoke to HAHS director, Valerie Balint, earlier this year in conjunction with the announcement of the new HAHS affiliate members.”