Hello! I am a muralist and public arts administrator based in Lawrence, KS. As a muralist, my work explores the ideas of multiculturalism, the Latinx identity, and foodways. I am interested in public artwork that allows for collaboration and relationship building. As a public arts administrator I focus on creating projects that help culture shift our future into a space of belonging.
Reparative Policy
I am honored to stand alongside so many beautiful and creative individuals as we collectively work on spatial policy frameworks aimed at addressing and repairing spatial injustices across the nation and its territories. I have big plans for Douglas County and Kansas! More details to come soon.
Projects & Initiatives
2025 Creative Currents Peer Learning Fellowship
Made possible through the support of Maragret A. Cargill Philanthropies.
I am working closely with Yura Sapi with LibreArte and the 2025 Creative Currents Peer Learning Fellowship with the Southwest Folklife Alliance to gather in a peer learning exchange focused on foodways economic development and preservation and co-develop frameworks for sustainable cultural work. This fellowship will directly support the structural development of the Culturas Foodways initiative.
As a National Folklife Network – Southern Plains, Community Voice, I work to uplift and amplify the diverse cultural traditions, stories, and artistic expressions of communities across the Southern Plains. Through advocacy, collaboration, and storytelling, I help strengthen folklife infrastructure, ensuring that Indigenous, rural, and historically underserved voices are heard, valued, and supported. As a member of the Culturas Cohort, I engage with fellow Latine/x/o/a cultural leaders to advance cultural equity, sustainability, and community-driven initiatives that honor and preserve living traditions.
Independent Markets Initiative
Using public art to strengthen culturally-specific food systems
By Connie Fiorella Fitzpatrick
The Independent Markets Initiative is a community-rooted program I designed to celebrate and strengthen culturally-specific food systems through the power of public art and storytelling.
Launched in 2021 in Lawrence, Kansas, and expanded to Garden City in 2023, this pilot program pairs culture-specific grocery stores with artists who share cultural ties to the markets. Together, they co-create public artworks that transform these vital businesses into even more vibrant and welcoming cultural centers. Learn more at KAC!
2023 Buen Ambiente
Independent Markets Initiative KAC (People’s Markets Program)
By Connie Fiorella Fitzpatrick & Javy Ortiz, with artist assistant Sydney Ruiz Krehbiel
Buen Ambiente depicts scenes of a fun Mexican fiesta. It features call backs to the food, music, and traditions of Mexican culture that La Estrella - Tienda Mexicana has to offer. La Estrella Tienda Mexicana has several works of folk and traditional art on display at their store imported from Querétaro, Mexico. Mural co-led by Javy Ortiz and Connie Fiorella-Fitzpatrick .
Homemade: A community cookbook and free-meals. Funded by Artplace America & East 9th Projects to assist our community during the pandemic through culinary arts. 2020
Photo by: Leah Evans Photography
Youth mural: “Compartiendo Culturas” “Sharing Cultures 2019
CREDIT ELLE MOXLEY / KCUR 89.3
Mural: “Justcia Para las Mujeres Inmigrantes”
”Justice for Immigrant Women”
Horizontes Project
Wichita, KS 2019
Lawrence Parks and Green Spaces Map by Connie Fiorella 2016
in collaboration with: United Way of Douglas County, The Lawrence Public Library, and AmeriCorps of Douglas County
WAK’Ó MUJERES PHỤ NỮ WOMXN MURAL 2018 ( WoC Mural)
“Equity means a just and fair Arts system, where all residents can participate fully and access the Arts, regardless of socioeconomic status, geography, race, ethnicity, gender, or immigration status. Equally applying universal interventions may not address the specific needs of some populations facing systemic barriers and disadvantage.”