Gianni Martinez is a San Ignacio artist, teacher and psychologist who has forged a path that bridges education, mental health and the arts, with an intentional approach to art therapy centering youth. Over coffee she shared her earliest memory of the creation of a piece of art of a birthday candle that brought loving praise from her mother who encouraged her pursuit of the arts early on. She credits her mother's interest in the visual arts and dance for her trajectory into the arts as providing healing spaces and a means to cope with past trauma.
As Gianni flipped through the copy of the Imagination Factri's publication "Know Ourselves" she recognized Althea Sealy, a Belizean dancer, whom she had memories of her mother sneaking out to practice dance with her as a teenager. The arts have always been there from her earliest years providing solace and a community where self-expression was encouraged. Gianni recognized that she was able to turn trauma into an asset and as a teacher who, now with a degree in psychology, understands she has a unique opportunity to apply art in this thoughtful capacity.
The publication brought up fond memories of her time in St John's Junior College, visiting the art class of Michelle Perdomo, an artist and "Pioneer in Art Education in Belize" read her title in the magazine. Michelle was an artist selected by Contributor Katie Numi Usher, also a visual artist and writer. It was in Perdomo's class that Gianni said she learned much of her painting techniques as a student.
From our introduction to her art in the "Our Sea, Our Life" exhibition currently on view at the Reyna Art Gallery, Martinez's application of art in telling some of the most painful parts of her story became apparent. Painting has helped her on a journey of healing as she created "Angel Baby" and revisited a past dealing with tremendous loss. Her most recent painting is in memoriam to her best friend of 8 years, her German Shepard Belle, who she lost this year. It incorporates a dreamy floral theme and palette to show the deepest love and affection for her companion of many years, who is shown in a restful pose. This painting is another example of how the artist has applied visual art to her healing journey. The therapy that she is able to practice has made it possible to openly discuss and articulate that pain while creating art to soothe on her transition to wellness.
Another source of expression for Gianni has been through writing poetry. She's known to carry a notebook where she can journal her ideas and poems. Her notebook came in handy as an active participant in the poetry scene in Belize City at Spoken Word 501 specifically, where she met and befriended fellow artist, Yaoling Lee. She also contributed to the BAFFU publication when it was launched by Yasser Musa, Director of the Image Factri, out of the University of Belize in 2016, leading up to the BAFFU Ted Talk at UB.
In reflecting on the opening at the Reyna gallery, Martinez, remembered winning an art competition to attend an art camp at Banana Bank Resort at age 16, owned by artist Carolyn Carr, who taught the classes. She then saw her participating in the same exhibit with her decades later this April and commented on how wild that felt. In her youth Carolyn Carr was one of the only females artists she'd heard of in Belize, so that had made an impression seeing her painting technique. That stream of thought reminded her of attending an art retreat at Banana Bank last year led by artist Yaoling Lee, a good friend to her since their connecting through poetry earlier.
When Gianni discussed what inspired her to consider the art therapy direction she pointed to Gayla Fuller in the "Know Ourselves" publication, again. Gayla Fuller is the artist who created the painting that graces the cover of "Know Ourselves" publication which mentions that she "is the creator of the F.I.V.E Journal, a therapeutic art journal that helps children process emotions through creativity." Their discussion as colleagues was about how impactful the journal would be for students in her classroom. She also mentioned artist Kirkland Smith, another artist who also influenced her art therapy path, who started the Kirkland Smith School of Visual Arts as an after school program for youth.
These creative influences have lead her to also create a series of children's books including "The Great Escape", published by Cindy and Richard Shaffer (Ohio) then printed by the Hubbard Company, was written by Gianni in order to help youth understand the importance of the manatee and the role it plays in our country's valuable eco system" according to Love FM who covered the launch of the book on March 2023. Earlier in 2014 her book "Herbert the Hickatee: Herbert Finds a Home" became part of awareness campaign focused on "Save the Endangered Belize Hickatee" turtle. Her books were promoted by the Image Factri with an accompanying exhibit of her art.
Our interview then turned towards a conversation about centering women artists year round and art therapy in exhibitions. Briheda Haylock, also a Contributor to "Know Ourselves" was an artist she spoke affectionately about with a focus on her social commentary through her art (Gianni owns Briheda's artwork featuring doll heads). The idea that women should be considered artists with a capital "A" has been voiced by artists like both Briheda and Gianni. Martinez explored that deeply participating in the "Womxn in Art" art exhibit at BLISS Art and adjacent literary magazine co-curated by Saidy Moore of Art Shack and Gayla Fuller. Exhibits that focus on healing (with heart repair as a theme) and bring more access to women's art beyond Women's History Month are forward thinking goals for this artist who plans to prioritize these ideas in future projects. In addition, Gianni Martinez plans to teach art classes to youth with a therapy-centered approach in San Ignacio.
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