Nov 11, 2004 –"It is a blessing to have a dream job and I hope to be doing that job for the next 50 years," Danica David, artist and owner of Danica Art Gallery, said.
David is St. Croix-born and a graduate of Central High School. She received her degree from the International Fine Arts College in Florida. She has had her Christiansted gallery for four years.
David designs sterling silver jewelry inspired by architecture of yesteryear to create Danica's West Indian Jewelry Collection. The designs are based on the Victorian-style architecture found mainly in the Frederikstad area. After a fire in 1878 set by laborers, the builders wanted to be a bit more artistic with gingerbread designs. To David the designs represent rebirth.
Many of David's paintings are faith-based, such as "Joy Will Come in the Morning" and "Weeping May Endure for a Night," inspired by Psalm 35. The prints are inspirational, colorful and uplifting and, even more importantly, popular.
The painting "V.I. Queens" has a special effect on people because of the history of the Queens, Mary, Agnes and Matilda, who led a labor rebellion in 1878 on the plantations, she said.
David says a painting may take her two weeks to two years to complete. She said she enjoys "free-style work" where she is free to do her own style artwork in acrylics or mixed media and be able to sell it.
Numerous local artists also have their work for sale at Danica Art Gallery. Pedra Chaffers creates designs on canvas with seed beads. Courtney Devonish sculpts mahogany and pottery. Judi Bain, of St. Croix Handicrafts, makes Caribbean cultural rattan dolls.
David recently participated in Art Thursday and said she was very pleased with the event and is looking forward to the upcoming gallery walks where she will feature a different artist each month.
Dec. 2 is the next walk and Yemaya Jones, who paints silk scarves, cloth and wall hangings, will be the featured artist. In January David will feature her works. Terri Jones, a watercolor artist from St. Thomas, will be the featured artist for February. The featured artist for March is Renee David, who does abstract work. April's artist will be Keesje Fischer from New York, who does representational acrylics. And for the last Art Thursday on May 5, it will be Adrianne Brown, a modern artist. The Art Thursdays are from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Christiansted.
David beamed with pride as she discussed the Creative Adventure Summer Art Program, which will be held for the fifth year next summer. David is the program director and teaches the children, ages 7 to 13, basic art techniques It will be at the St George Botanical Garden for the second year in a row. The six-week program is funded in part by the V.I. Council on the Arts. The children, who have demonstrated an interest in art, also learn gardening while at the Botanical Garden.
Danica Art Gallery is located at 54 King St., Christiansted. Call 719-6000 for hours or to learn more about the gallery.