Artist Statement — Stephanie Bellefleur

My name is Stephanie Barrios Bellefleur, and I am a contemporary mural artist, community educator, and environmental advocate. My artistic practice exists at the intersection of ecology, identity, and collective healing, using colour, scale, and storytelling to transform public spaces into sites of connection and reflection. My journey as an artist has been shaped equally by my Venezuelan roots and my upbringing in Willow Bunch, Saskatchewan—a small rural community whose vast prairies and deep sense of resilience continue to inform my worldview and artistic vision.

Through my work, I aim to foster dialogues between people and the land, exploring how art can both celebrate and protect the environments that sustain us. Over the past decade, I have built a practice that bridges large-scale public art, education, and community collaboration, rooted in environmental awareness and cultural continuity.

Working at Scale — Redefining the Role of Women in Public Art

As one of the few women muralists in Canada to have worked at extreme heights, my career has been defined by pushing both artistic and physical boundaries. I have collaborated with world-renowned artists including Phlegm on the St. Clair Mural (8 stories) and Okuda San Miguel on Equilibrium (23 stories)—one of the tallest murals in the country. Working on projects of this magnitude is not only technically demanding but also deeply symbolic. It has allowed me to literally and figuratively claim space in a field historically dominated by men, while creating works that bring art and beauty to public environments.

Through these experiences, I’ve developed a strong technical foundation in aerial work, color theory, and large-scale design, but more importantly, a profound understanding of how public art can shape a community’s relationship to its environment. Every wall I paint becomes an opportunity to reimagine what shared spaces can represent—hope, unity, and ecological balance.

Community, Education, and Land-Based Learning

Beyond murals, my practice is grounded in community engagement and land-based education. I believe art is not something that happens in isolation—it’s a collective act that reflects the values and stories of those involved. My recent artist residency at Chief Payepot School on Peepeekisis Cree Nation is an example of this belief in action. During the residency, I collaborated with students, Elders, and educators to develop workshops that combined traditional Indigenous teachings with contemporary art practices.

Together, we explored themes such as the cycle of seasons, the interdependence of species, and the importance of water and soil health—connecting ecological awareness to creative expression. This experience deepened my understanding of the spiritual and cultural dimensions of environmental stewardship, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous worldviews in addressing the climate crisis.

As a result, my work increasingly focuses on eco-literacy, using art to engage youth in conversations about sustainability, pollination, biodiversity, and climate action. By transforming walls into living canvases, I encourage young people to see their surroundings not just as backdrops, but as ecosystems deserving care and respect.

Art as Reconciliation and Ecological Healing

As an Ambassador for the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, I advocate for truth and reconciliation through art. I have facilitated workshops and mural projects with organizations including the Regina Open Door Society, Peepeekisis Health Centre Prevention, and the Gord Downie Wenjack Foundation, exploring how intercultural collaboration can foster empathy and environmental stewardship.

My projects often weave together First Nations teachings, Métis knowledge, and South American Indigenous philosophies, drawing connections between hemispheres and histories. I see my role as both an artist and a bridge-builder—using creativity as a form of diplomacy, a way to restore balance between communities and with the land.

Working with Knowledge Carrier Philip Brass, I have deepened my understanding of traditional protocols, ceremony, and the ethics of representation. With his mentorship, I have participated respectfully in Powwow, Round Dance, Pipe Ceremony, and Sweat Lodge, gaining insight into how art and ceremony are interconnected forms of expression and care for the earth. These teachings continue to guide my practice and ensure that my work honors the lands and peoples with whom I collaborate.

Environmental Focus and the Role of Public Art

In all of my projects, I approach the environment not as a backdrop, but as a collaborator. The natural world is both muse and material—its patterns, cycles, and textures inform my creative process. I use eco-conscious materials and sustainable practices whenever possible, and I advocate for policies that support low-impact public art production.

My murals often address themes such as pollination, biodiversity, regeneration, and coexistence. For instance, in my recent community-based projects, youth learned about native prairie pollinators and then created mural designs inspired by local plants and insects. These visual narratives become both educational and restorative, reinforcing the idea that creativity can coexist with environmental care.

Public art, for me, is a democratic form of storytelling. It transforms neglected or neutral spaces into communal reflections of identity, ecology, and belonging. It’s a way of bringing people together to envision not just what beauty looks like, but what sustainability feels like—vibrant, inclusive, and alive.

Recognition and Continuing Vision

In 2024, I was honored to receive the Jane Turnbull Award for a Female Artist through the Saskatchewan Foundation for the Arts Endowment Fund, recognizing my contributions to community-engaged mural work and gender representation in the arts. This award reaffirmed my commitment to using art as a platform for environmental awareness, mentorship, and social equity.

As I continue my practice, my goal is to develop interdisciplinary projects that unite artists, ecologists, and local communities in acts of creative restoration. I believe that every brushstroke and every conversation can contribute to a larger cultural shift—one where art is not only seen but felt as a force for ecological renewal.

Through collaboration, education, and the celebration of diversity, I hope to inspire others to see their own role in protecting the planet. Whether it’s painting a 23-story mural or leading a youth workshop by a prairie lake, my purpose remains the same: to honour the land that sustains us and to tell stories that remind us we are all part of one living, breathing ecosystem.