April 16, 2025 — The Dimasalang III International Artist Group, a vibrant collective of multicultural artists with deep Filipino roots, is making its highly anticipated debut at Art Vancouver 2025, Western Canada’s largest international art fair, scheduled from April 24 to 27 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
This marks a significant milestone for the group, showcasing the work of 15 participating artists in a display of artistic diversity and cultural storytelling. Their presence at Art Vancouver lets visitors experience the creative vision of one of Canada’s most dynamic and culturally rooted artist collectives.
The Dimasalang III booth will showcase diverse artwork, including impressionist and realist paintings, as well as contemporary, abstract, and mixed-media pieces, highlighting each artist'sunique styles and cultural influences. To enhance the visitor experience, the group will also host live art demonstrations at their booth throughout the four-day fair, enabling audiences to engage directly with the artists and witness the creative process firsthand.
As part of the fair’s signature programming, three Dimasalang members will participate in the Runway Show of Artwork, a captivating fusion of visual art and fashion where pieces will be showcased on the catwalk. This inclusion adds a new dimension to Dimasalang III’s presence and reflects the group's adaptability and creative innovation.
Dimasalang III is more than just an artist group—it is a living legacy. Its story began in 1968 in Manila, Philippines, when master impressionist Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza (SYM) founded the original Dimasalang group. The name, taken from the pseudonym of national hero José Rizal, symbolizes artistic freedom, resilience, and cultural identity.
When SYM migrated to Canada in 1981, he brought the spirit of Dimasalang with him, continuing to mentor Canadian-Filipino artists and helping cultivate a new wave of creatives. His influence and dedication laid the groundwork for the Dimasalang III International Artist Group, officially established as a non-profit society in British Columbia in 2004. Since then, the group has become a diverse, intergenerational collective of artists committed to mentorship, cross-cultural exchange, and artistic excellence.
Today, Dimasalang III supports artists at all stages of their creative journey, from emerging talents to established professionals, by offering a space for artistic development, collaboration, and cultural dialogue. Members regularly gather for life drawing sessions, still-life workshops, and outdoor painting sessions in the scenic parks of MetroVancouver.
In line with its mission to make art more inclusive and accessible, the group will offer hands-on painting workshops for seniors aged 55 and older during Art Vancouver. Led by experienced artists, these sessions will focus on still life, landscape painting, and caricature. They aim to teach, uplift, and inspire participants. These workshops embody Dimasalang’s commitment to community engagement and wellness through art and intergenerational learning.
Another highlight of the fair will be the Speaker’s Talk by group president Leo Cunanan, Jr., who will take the main stage to share the compelling history of the Dimasalang movement—from its inception in the Philippines to its present-day presence in Canada. As a visual artist and community leader, Cunanan has played a key role in sustaining the group’s mission and amplifying its cultural significance.
Dimasalang III’s participation in Art Vancouver naturally extends the group’s ongoing efforts to promote Filipino heritage and contribute to Canada’s multicultural arts landscape. Past exhibitions such as Walking with SYM, Kalayaan, and Pan Asian Routes: Dimasalang Turns 50have received acclaim for celebrating identity, freedom, and cultural pride. Whether showcasing in libraries, galleries, or cultural festivals, the group continues to create art that resonates on both personal and collective levels.
Their Art Vancouver debut marks a new chapter, bringing their message to a wider audience and reaffirming their role as cultural ambassadors through art. From the intimate brushstrokes on canvas to the energy of live demonstrations, Dimasalang III invites audiences to connect, reflect, and celebrate the power of artistic expression.
Sandie Oreta Gillis graduated with a degree in Broadcast Communication from the University of the Philippines in 1981. She co-hosted a radio morning talk show at Radio Veritas in Manila before immigrating to Canada in 1983. Gillis collaborated with Alfredo Roces to write a biography about the legendary artist Sofronio Y. Mendoza titled SYM: The Power of Struggle. She also authored Weaving Our Dreams: The Tboli People of the Philippines.
As a freelance writer, she actively supports and promotes Philippine arts and culture, often writing about the country's rich heritage, history, and traditions. Gillis serves as a volunteer Board Director for the Dimasalang III International Artists Group and is one of the founding members of the Narragila Culture and Arts Foundation.
Canadian Filipino Net is an independent, non-profit digital magazine produced by volunteer writers, editors, and webmasters. Your donation will go a long way so we can continuously publish stories about Canadian Filipinos. Click on a donate button and proceed either through PayPal, Debit, or Credit Card.
