Bajo El Sol: Book Signing by Comic Book Creator Karim Callwood and STJSA Dance, Photography

VI Guardian Coloring Book: History of the Virgin Islands (Submitted art)

At 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17, Bajo El Sol Gallery will host back-to-back events with a book signing by comic book creator Karim Callwood, and at 5:30 p.m., they will be featuring a student photography exhibition and performance by the St. John School of the Arts, Caribbean Movement dance and photography class.

Karim Callwood is an artist born and raised on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. He discovered his love of drawing at a young age. His interest in art was inspired by Marvel and DC Comics. his passion for comic books motivated him to create his first comic book, “No More Paradise,” in 2019 and then in 2021, he created his best-seller, “VI Guardian.” The V.I. Guardian series features Darrion Wells, a Virgin Islands superhero.  His second edition will be released at the book singing along with The VI Guardian comic book and the “V.I. Guardian Coloring Book – History of the Virgin Islands”.

Callwood recently taught his class, “Learn to Draw Portraits, Comics and Anime” at the St. John School of the Arts, sponsored by Bajo El Sol Gallery.

Karim Callwood and St. John School of the Arts Students (Submitted photo)

The Caribbean Dance class instructor and St. John School of the Arts (STJSA) executive director Jeuné Provost will be performing with her class in the Mongoose Junction Courtyards starting at 5:30 p.m. along with an exhibition by the STJSA photography class taught by Kayden Richards.

The St. John School of the Arts’ in-school and after-school programming empowers St. John’s youth and their families through its passion for music, dance, theatre and visual arts. Its programs seek to instill creativity and a greater sense of collaboration.

According to Bajo El Sol Gallery director Priscilla Hintz Rivera, “This collaborative showcase reinforces our commitment to supporting youth-related arts programming in the Virgin Islands and on St. John in particular.”

Established in 1993, Bajo El Sol Curator Priscilla Hintz Rivera and writer David Knight Jr. took the helm of the established gallery in 2016. Hintz Rivera and Knight are dedicated to offering the best in Virgin Islands’ fine art and cultural expression.  Located at Mongoose Junction, a five-minute walk from the Cruz Bay Ferry Dock. Bajo El Sol Gallery can be contacted at 693-7070 or bajoelsolgallery@gmail.com for more information.