Florida Artists Group
Katiana Jarbath Smith—Painter
Goddess Oshun
24 x 18
Kanaval Rive
(Carnival Has Arrived)
24 x 36
Konesans Knowledge
24 x 36
Ode To Black Boys
36 x 24
Katiana's Bio
Katiana Smith is painter based in Palm Beach County. Using bold colors, Smith paints the African Diaspora, more specifically, people of Haitian descent. Her artwork focusses on facial expressions and the stories that people tell through their eyes, poise, and features. Smiths desire to paint people of color stems from her upbringing but now serves as a political statement, a reminder that the African Diaspora has a place in the American story.
She received training from the New World School of Arts, a magnet program in middle school, but her talent is innate. Smith stopped painting for 15 years and has returned to the brush. Now as an emerging artist, she exhibits and does live paintings in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Presently, she is involved in community initiatives that celebrate South Florida's diversity while also working on commissions and shows.
The why? It's simple. Katiana has been closed off from art for far too long and now she's rediscovered her love for it and can't ever imagine living her life without it.
Artist Statement
My art represents the people, culture, and history of my roots through realism. As a first-generation Haitian-American, my primary focus is to document the stoic, misrepresented, and underappreciated country called Haiti as well as connect viewers to my perception of Haiti and the people of the African diaspora. Each piece is a labor of love, paying homage as I attempt to shift the dialogue towards an appreciation for the African diaspora everywhere.
People are the greatest subjects of my paintings. Their expressions bring the viewer in to tell a story, spark emotion, and incite dialogue and appreciation for the hidden beauties and strength of a people.
Solo Exhibitions:
2019 Boca Raton Community Center, Art in Public Places, Boca Raton, FL
January 2nd – January 31st
2018 South Florida Symphony & Wilton Manors Art Walk, Katiana Jarbath Smith – Works for Porgy and Bess, Wilton Manors, FL. October 1st – October 31st
Group Exhibitions:
2019 Arts Warehouse, Sankofa: For the Record Extended, Delray Beach, FL
Embassy of Haiti, Cultural Expressions of the Arts, Washington, DC
S.D. Spady Museum of Cultural Heritage, Sankofa: For the Record, Delray Beach, FL Continuum West Palm Beach Arts, Continuum 2019, West Palm Beach, FL
2018 City Place, Collaboration African Diaspora IV Art Exhibit, West Palm Beach, FL
African American Research Library and Cultural Center, The Happening: A Theatrical Mixtape Volume II, Wilton Manors, FL
North Miami Beach Library, International Women’s Day, Miami Beach, FL
North Miami Beach Library, Fashion Show, Miami Beach, FL
Performance Art Presentations:
2019 Haitian Heritage Museum, Live Painter, Miami, FL
Haitian Compas Fest, Live Painter, Miami, FL
S.D. Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, Live Painter, Delray Beach, FL
2018 Art Prevails Project, Saturday Sessions Live, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Juried Special Events:
2019 Broward County Convention Center, 2nd Annual Synergy Summit for Cultural & Heritage Tourism, Fort Lauderdale, FL |
Downtown West Palm Beach, SunFest, West Palm Beach, FL
Riviera Beach Marina Tiki Market, Jazz Sunday, Riviera Beach, FL
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Selected Featured Artist and Creator of 2019 Goddess for SWAN (Supporting Women Artist Now) Spoken Soul Vol 12: SWAN Day Miami, Miami, FL
2018 Broward County Convention Center, Queenprenuer II, West Palm Beach, Davie, FL
Libby Wesley Plaza, Frog Alley Caribbean Fest, Delray Beach, FL. May 12th
Education:
2008-2004 Johnson & Wales University, Florida Campus, B.S. Criminal Justice
2004-2003 North Miami Senior High School, Miami, FL, General Courses
2003-2000 New World School of the Arts High School, Miami, FL, Visual Arts Focus
Professional Affiliations:
Member – Cultural Council of Palm Beach
Member – Delray Art League