Katia Perez Mendez
(b. Bogotá, Colombia | Lives and works in Hamilton & Niagara Region, Canada)

Katia is a Colombian Architect and Artist passionate about teaching and community engagement. She specialized in drawing, painting, and art history while teaching at three universities in Bogotá before moving to Canada in 2008. Since 2015, she has been involved in art education with the City of Hamilton and the Niagara Region.

Her artworks, inspired by urban landscapes, memories, and natural themes, have been exhibited in Toronto, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Recent paintings such as Boats at Sunset, Red Boats on the Beach, and Pink Harmony highlight her architectural perspective and love for Canadian landscapes, combining strong composition, color balance, and expressive use of atmosphere.

In 2014, Katia received a Civic Recognition Award from the Town of Grimsby for her volunteer work in the community. Her art has been exhibited in multiple Grimsby Heritage Art competitions. In 2017, her work was selected for the permanent collection of the Canada 150 Square Roots Project. As an influential woman, Katia was invited to speak at Beamsville’s International Women’s Day event in 2014, where she shared her experiences as an immigrant artist.

In 2017, she received the “Amazing Inner Strength / Never Gives Up” award from the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre. She was also nominated for the St. Catharines Arts Awards in 2015 for “Making a Difference,” as well as in 2018 and 2020, recognizing her contributions to art education.