{"id":21788,"date":"2025-09-29T18:21:43","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T18:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/?p=21788"},"modified":"2025-10-07T12:48:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T12:48:43","slug":"shifting-the-focus-from-staying-connected-to-fostering-connections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/2025\/09\/shifting-the-focus-from-staying-connected-to-fostering-connections\/","title":{"rendered":"Shifting the focus: from staying connected to fostering connections"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Written by Fabiola Martinez<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">My artistic practice has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting both my personal growth and changing environment. I began my journey in the arts as an architect in Mexico. My background in this field gave me a foundation in design, spatial thinking, and problem-solving. When I immigrated to Canada in 2007, I shifted my focus and practice fully to the visual arts. At first, my art was a deeply personal way to stay connected to my cultural roots, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and heritage through painting and public art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1016\" src=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Reflection-Study-II-2019-Fabiola-Martinez-1024x1016.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21789\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Reflection-Study-II-2019-Fabiola-Martinez-1024x1016.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Reflection-Study-II-2019-Fabiola-Martinez-300x298.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Reflection-Study-II-2019-Fabiola-Martinez-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Reflection-Study-II-2019-Fabiola-Martinez-768x762.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Reflection-Study-II-2019-Fabiola-Martinez-1536x1524.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Reflection-Study-II-2019-Fabiola-Martinez.jpg 1595w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-2d67cc76587ffc8d3b74e0cdb40e18d5\"><em>Reflection Study II<\/em>, 2019. Cochineal and oil on canvas. 24 x 24 inches. CollectionArtNB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>My artwork is inspired by urban spaces and the shared energy we experience within them. In&nbsp;<em>Etereo<\/em>&nbsp; [Ethereal], I explored the architecture of nature alongside the architectural heritage of the Old North End in Saint John, NB. In this series of wood panels, I used cochineal, a natural pigment derived from a female insect that lives on Mexican cacti, which produces a rich carmine colour. Drawing from Saint John urban environment and natural surroundings, with <em>Etereo <\/em>I reflected on the intangible energy that flows within and around spaces. My practice emphasizes light as a symbol of the vital and unseen energy inhabiting architecture, while also honouring natural resources and ancestral techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Supported by <strong>artsnb<\/strong> and the Department of History and Politics at the University of New Brunswick, under the guidance of Dr. Hepzibah Mu\u00f1oz Mart\u00ednez, I researched buildings located in Saint John\u2019s Old North End dating from the 1700s to the 1960s in order to create <em>Etereo<\/em>. Once a neighbourhood that thrived, the Old North End has since undergone significant change. In collaboration with fibre artist and basket weaver Ralph Simpson, I harvested plants from the area and dyed them with cochineal to integrate them in my work to merge nature\u2019s architecture with the neighbourhood\u2019s built heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Etereo-IV.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21791\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Etereo-IV.png 940w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Etereo-IV-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Etereo-IV-768x644.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-9393d536f627d9679538fdca47a3664d\"><em>Etereo IV<\/em>,2022.Cochineal, oil and acrylic on wood. 10 inches. Photo: courtesy of the artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>My work explores themes of cultural heritage, community, memory, and the interplay between architecture and nature. I am drawn to how urban and natural spaces hold intangible energies and stories connecting past and present. I combine traditional processes with contemporary methods to create tactile, immersive experiences. Through&nbsp;<em>Etereo<\/em>, I wove together organic and geometric forms, light, and layered histories, to offer an interpretation of spaces where past and present coexist in a contemporary, living dimension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p><em>\u201cFor me, being an artist in New Brunswick is a bridge and a voice, cultivating understanding in a diverse province. Art strengthens community bonds, preserves heritage, and inspires belonging across generations and cultures.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Etereo-VIII.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21793\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Etereo-VIII.png 940w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Etereo-VIII-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Etereo-VIII-768x644.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-27ccf97048f8d7ee2a9b2b600786d268\"><em>Etereo VIII<\/em>, 2022. Cochineal, oil and acrylic on wood. 7 inches. Photo: courtesy of the artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I believe cross-disciplinary collaboration offers endless possibilities for innovation and storytelling. By combining different artistic disciplines, cultural perspectives, and community voices, we can create richer, more inclusive experiences that resonate deeply with audiences and foster a stronger sense of belonging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, my practice has grown to include a strong community engagement component, with collaboration as a driving force in my work. I have embraced collaborative projects, cultural programming, which led me to the direction of multicultural festivals such as D\u00eda de los Muertos Atlantic. This festival, one of my largest projects to date, is a perfect example of cross-disciplinary collaboration: it uses art as a vehicle to connect with my roots and build bridges between cultures and generations. The event offers endless possibilities as it brings together art, culture, and community at a large scale, filling urban spaces with creative energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The support of my artistic practice through<strong> artsnb <\/strong>Creation grants has empowered me to develop D\u00eda de los Muertos Atlantic into a vibrant, multidisciplinary festival that celebrates art, heritage, and community. The event has become a platform for artists to collaborate, showcase their work, and foster intercultural dialogue and inclusion. The festival has activated public spaces, inspired collaborations, and built community pride by offering accessible, authentic workshops for people and schools, fostering connection, dialogue, and meaningful community engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21795\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-1.png 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-8a36fdfea8fdf746fc9b1a5a546d74ee\">Fabiola in the process of painting a mural as part of D\u00eda de los Muertos Atlantic. Photo: Elizabeth Cook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Going forward, I see myself expanding this community-centered vision even further by blending my architectural background, artistic skills, and my passion for cultural exchange to develop projects that are not only visually impactful but socially meaningful. I want to continue creating opportunities for emerging artists and youth, designing participatory art experiences, and fostering a sense of collective pride through culture-based public art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being an artist in New Brunswick has been transformative, allowing me to grow personally and professionally while bridging my Mexican heritage with my Canadian community. Through projects like D\u00eda de los Muertos Atlantic, I\u2019ve been able to celebrate and share culture in meaningful ways, bringing people together to learn, remember, and connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"831\" src=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-2-1024x831.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21797 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-2-1024x831.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-2-300x243.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-2-768x623.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-2-1536x1246.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Fabiola-2024-2-2048x1662.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Fabiola Martinez<\/strong> is a Mexican-born artist and cultural leader based in Quispamsis. She immigrated to Canada in 2007 after studying architecture at the Instituto Tecnol\u00f3gico de Quer\u00e9taro in Mexico. Since 2010, she has thrived as a full-time artist in New Brunswick, passionately developing inclusive art programs for all ages through schools, non-profits, and international partnerships. Her work has been showcased across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, including exhibitions in Vancouver, Chicago, and California\u2019s Lancaster Museum of Art and History. Recognized with grants from <strong>artsnb <\/strong>and the New Brunswick Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture, Fabiola continues to enrich communities through her visionary artistic and educational practice.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stay up-to-date with Fabiola&#8217;s practice:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instagram: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/fabiolamartinezartnewbrunswick\/\">@fabiolamartinezartnewbrunswick<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Facebook: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61573164236859\">@Fabiola Martinez Visual Artist&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Website: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fabiolamartinezart.com\/\">https:\/\/www.fabiolamartinezart.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dia de los Muertos Atlantic<\/strong> Festival<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instagram: <a href=\"http:\/\/diadelosmuertossj\">@diadelosmuertossj<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Facebook: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/diadelosmuertossj\">@Dia de los Muertos, Atlantic Canada\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Website : <a href=\"https:\/\/www.diadelosmuertossj.com\/\">https:\/\/www.diadelosmuertossj.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by Fabiola Martinez My artistic practice has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting both my personal growth and changing environment. I began my journey in the arts as an architect in Mexico. My background in this field gave me a foundation in design, spatial thinking, and problem-solving. When I immigrated to Canada in 2007,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":21789,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,11,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-featured","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Shifting the focus: from staying connected to fostering connections - ArtsNB<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/artsnb.ca\/web\/2025\/09\/shifting-the-focus-from-staying-connected-to-fostering-connections\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Shifting the focus: from staying connected to fostering connections - ArtsNB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Written by Fabiola Martinez My artistic practice has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting both my personal growth and changing environment. 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