Surrey, B.C.
by Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
Artist Danvic Briones’ works aim to engage Filipino community
To celebrate Filipino-Canadian authors, the Surrey Public Library (SPL) will hold its first ever event featuring Vancouver-based artist and author Danvic Briones.
This will also be the launch of Briones’ children’s book “Jesse the Dragosaur.”
The event, titled “Filipino-Canadian Children’s Book Launch: Jesse the Dragosaur” highlights the book and paintings of Briones (https://www.artbydanvic.com/).
Briones is a mixed-media artist, chef, youth worker, collographist, entrepreneur, and expressive arts therapist who finds inspiration in the vivid memories of his childhood and the rich tapestry of nature and cultures from Canada and the Philippines, the SPL’s media release reads.
“The aim of this event is to raise the profile of Filipino-Canadians in the fields of literacy and arts. Filipinos, with about 39,290 persons, represent 7.0% of the total population of Surrey, BC per the 2021 Statistics Canada data. The Filipino-Canadian community continues to grow and to enliven their engagement in Surrey,” the media statement added.
Briones’ first illustrated book, Jesse the Dragosaur, showcases his distinctive style in a playful and evocative way fitting a jolly character, Jesse, who promotes self-growth and believing in one’s self while teaching about identity or belonging.
DISCOVERY. Artist Danvic Briones discovered his love and talent in the arts at the age of six. (Photo from Amazon.ca)
His Canadian experience in working with vulnerable youth inspired him to write and illustrate this book to encourage children to hold their heads up and believe in themselves.
Jesse the Dragosaur is available on Amazon.
It’s the story of Jesse, who is neither a dragon or dinosaur. “Jesse is a dragosaur, a fun-loving, happy, and friendly creature in the colourful deep blue sea. Although Jesse’s confidence crumbles because some of the fishes thought Jesse was different and strange, Jesse realized – through the help of Jesse’s friends – that it did not matter what Jesse is. Jesse is proud of what Jesse is!”
Briones discovered his love and talent in the arts when he drew an elephant at the age of 6 which led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and an expressive arts therapy diploma, his bio reads.
He has held several exhibitions in Asia, the United States and Canada. His works can be viewed at www.artbydanvic.com.
Briones’ exhibitions, both solo and group, have been showcased in British Columbia and across Canada, Philippines, Europe, and the United States. A number of his works will be exhibited at the book launch.