Fresno has a new home for all things maarte.
In Tagalog, maarte is a term that embodies all things sassy and artsy. The word feels like a mantra as you step into this new business. Its creative features are slightly bohemian but made bold with personalized artwork on its walls designed by maarte collaborator Racquelle Mendiola.
Stylized as maarte., the studio celebrated its grand opening on March 8 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1424 Fulton St. The ceremony was intentionally scheduled during International Women’s Day.
For owner Christine Rose, it was an opportunity to pay homage to not only her mother but to all the influential women in her and her friends’ lives. One of the most decorative walls in the studio had photos of the women lined up against it.
Its opening comes at a time when many young people are expressing their need for a community space to hang out and have opportunities to meet others.
Rose hopes maarte can be that comforting third place. She wants to make it a welcoming space for anyone who wants to come in to work or unwind, offering things like art workshops and yoga sessions for the community..
“Being in the Warnors Theatre corner is symbolic and representative of my love of the arts,” Rose said, noting the area’s deep artistic roots and its history of amplifying artists. “I love that this has become a blank canvas for me to create art on.”
Workshops will be led by maarte’s independent artists and are meant to give people who are inexperienced with making art the space to do so. Mendiola, a Filipino artist, mentioned the studio’s plans to host live drawing sessions with an in-person model as an exciting offering for anyone who wants to try their hand at art.
Rose’s vision with maarte is largely connected to what she considers one part of herself intersecting with the others. Yoga is a huge part of her life, as she has been an educator for 12 years. She wants to make yoga as accessible to as many people as possible, selecting maarte’s location with intention.
“There are many families that live here and working professionals who live in the apartments and homes nearby, that I’m like, this is for us,” Rose said.
Beyond workshops and yoga, maarte also plans to find creative ways to showcase Filipino culture for the public, including Tagalog lessons and plans to have at least one monthly culture-based event. It will also function as a sari-sari store, a Filipino term meaning small neighborhood store selling various goods, where visitors can shop handmade jewelry and other locally made goods.
“I want non-Filipino folks to claim their ‘maarte-ness!’” Rose said when speaking about how maarte is a pocket for Filipino culture, but is also there for community gatherings.
Among those who attended the grand opening was Noreen, a nursing student at Fresno State and the president of Magkaisa, the university’s Filipino club. For her, the event reflected an opportunity to show up for her community and celebrate her culture.
She hopes her fellow Filipino peers find fulfillment not just in their academics and career pursuits, but in the passions that bring them joy.
To learn more about maarte, follow them on Instagram at @maarte.fresno.
