Artist Biography
My practice as a visual artist is deeply rooted in the ancestral narratives and lived experience of my first-generation Haitian American heritage. Every canvas serves as a site of memory—a curated space where culture and identity are explored through the intersection of color, texture, and movement. Through figurative abstraction and symbolic imagery, I strive to honor the stories we hold within us, transforming the silent whispers of family history into vibrant visual testimonies that speak to a universal human quest for resilience and truth.
In my murals and public advocacy, this individual exploration expands into a collective celebration of community. I view the public wall as a communal archival space, capable of fostering deep connection and artistic liberation. As a teaching artist, my commitment extends beyond the studio to mentorship and the democratization of the creative process. By bridging the gap between fine art and advocacy, I hope to empower others to see their own histories as worthy of the museum gallery, ensuring our collective cultural legacy is both preserved and visible.
The Artist
The Lived Experience
Katiana Jarbath Smith is a first-generation Haitian American visual artist, muralist, teaching artist, and arts advocate. Her multidisciplinary practice is deeply rooted in lived experience, exploring the intricate intersections of identity, culture, and the power of narrative storytelling. From the intimacy of her studio paintings to the expansive scale of her public murals, Katiana’s work honors the stories we carry while inviting community dialogue.
As a dedicated teaching artist and arts advocate, her practice extends into social activism and creative mentorship. She is committed to fostering spaces that promote equity and dialogue, ensuring that creativity serves as both a reflection of history and a tool for collective progress. Her practice bridges the traditional boundaries of fine art with community-based engagement, creating a vision where art is essential to our shared human experience.
Teaching & Community Advocacy
Katiana Jarbath Smith views her artistic practice as an entry point for deeper community engagement. As a first-generation Haitian American visual artist and dedicated teaching artist, her work extends beyond the canvas into the realm of social advocacy and mentorship. She is committed to fostering creative environments that honor lived experiences and cultural identity, particularly through youth-focused initiatives and community-based creative projects. For Katiana, teaching is not a separate role but a natural extension of her practice—a way to ensure that the power of storytelling and visual language is accessible to all.