A Life in Art
Joan Fabian is a visual artist exploring the world. Born in Chicago to Eastern European parents, Joan currently lives and works in San Antonio. As a Fulbright Scholar to Pakistan, she worked and taught painting at the National College of Arts in Lahore. Upon returning to the United States, she formed a collective of Pakistani artists to promote discussion about contemporary art issues. This international collaboration was one of several that collectively earned her a Puffin Foundation Award. As a world traveler, she has exhibited her works at Parsons School of Design in Paris, American Centre in Islamabad, the Museum of Non- Objective Art in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as completing two artist residencies in the Netherlands: Delft and Rotterdam.
After moving to San Antonio she became interested in primitive art, earth works, and the psychological implications of color as a replacement to sound.
A Family in the Arts
Joan credits Art Spark with providing her growing experiences as they have been a supportive family to me as an artist with a disability. From the VSA International exhibition of her work at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. through honoring her as their very first Artist of the Year Awardee, Joan reject that, “Art Spark has celebrated me and my art tremendously. I feel appreciated and praised, something many artists in the art world never find.”
Encouraging Others to Grow
Through the Art Works program, she has been given opportunities to connect with other artists, and always refers other artists to Art Spark Texas because they are so open and encouraging.
“Art Spark Texas is very special to me, because I always felt a connection with everyone there. I felt encouraged to grow and achieve greatness with my art, and that encourages me to continue as a mentor to other artists. I believe connection with others is so important.
I would say that Art Spark Texas is the family that you always wanted. They give you support in so many ways, even just listening to what issues you may be having. They always try to go over and beyond to help artists. That amounts to a warm feeling!" - Joan Fabian