About me
Welcome! I'm Brook Connolly, a printmaker and educator from the small rural town of Princeton, North Carolina. I'm so glad you're here.
Growing up in a low-income home shaped by instability, addiction, and childhood adversity has deeply influenced both my life and my artistic practice. Through vibrant, detail-rich prints, I explore memory, resilience, and the lasting impact of childhood experiences. My work often appears playful at first glance, but closer inspection reveals layered narratives of trauma, healing, and hope.
Working primarily in color intaglio and photolithography, I embrace the slow, repetitive nature of printmaking as both a technical process and a form of therapy. Layer by layer, I build compositions filled with hidden imagery and intricate details that encourage viewers to slow down, look closely, and discover something new each time they engage with the work. Inspired by childhood favorites like I Spy books and Highlights magazines, I create prints that reward curiosity while opening conversations about mental health, family dynamics, education, and the importance of protecting childhood innocence.
During my undergraduate studies at East Carolina University, I served as President of the Printmaking Guild, worked as a printshop assistant, collaborated with nationally recognized printmaker Steve Prince as a printer, and received the Undergraduate Open Portfolio Award at the 2025 Southern Graphics Council International Conference. I was also awarded funding for my solo exhibition, Welcome Home, which explored themes of childhood memory, trauma, and healing.
After earning my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Printmaking, I took a year to teach elementary art while illustrating the children's book Bessie and the Pizza Farm. Working with hundreds of young artists each week further shaped my perspective as both an educator and a printmaker, strengthening my passion for advocating for children through art. The joy, imagination, and resilience I witness in the classroom continue to inspire the stories I tell and the work I create.
As I begin pursuing my Master of Fine Arts in Printmedia at Syracuse University, I am excited to continue growing as an artist, experimenting with new ideas, and pushing my work in new directions. I can't wait to see where this next chapter takes me and my artistic practice.