The Dimasalang III International Artist Group invites you to get creative with our series of art classes taking place at Art Vancouver and taught by our incredible exhibitors.

This art classes is available for Seniors 55 and above. Space is limited. Register online or in person.
Space is limited. Sign up now.

Art Vancouver art class tickets includes 1 Day admission to the show.


Brushing Life Into Stillness: A Watercolour Journey
Join us for a relaxing and inspiring watercolour workshop led by Charlie Frenal, a multi-award-winning Filipino-Canadian artist whose stunning paintings honour Filipino heritage and nature.

About the Instructor
Charlie Frenal

Charlie, originally from Mindanao, discovered his passion for art as a child and won numerous competitions in the Philippines. He later obtained a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Mindanao, which equipped him with a keen eye for detail and composition. Since relocating to Canada in 2012, Charlie has exhibited widely with the Dimasalang III International Artist Group and the Federation of Canadian Artists. His mastery of watercolour earned him First Place in the 2021 Federation of Canadian Artists Annual International Mail-In Art Exhibition.
Dedicated to ongoing learning, Charlie completed a watercolour course at the New York Academy of Art in 2020 and further honed his skills last year in Venice, Italy.

In this unique workshop for seniors, Charlie will guide you through the delicate yet expressive art of watercolour painting. Whether you are a beginner or seeking to refine your technique, you will discover how to create stunning still-life compositions while exploring the calming and therapeutic effects of painting.
All materials will be provided—just bring your creativity and enthusiasm. Don’t miss this opportunity to unwind, express yourself, and enjoy the magic of watercolour.

April 25, 2025 2:30- 3:30 pm

Step into a world of serenity and colour with Filipino-Canadian artist Noel Trinidad. Known for his Zen-like approach to art, Noel evokes a deep sense of peace and mindfulness in his creations. Thus, his classes are about more than mere technique; they also embrace the spiritual joy of the creative process.

About the Instructor
Noel Trinidad
Born in the Philippines in 1955, Noel immigrated to Canada in 1970. As a teenager, he discovered his passion for painting. He pursued art studies and was mentored by the renowned artist SYM Mendoza, founder of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group. Working mainly with oil, pastel, and watercolour, Noel’s impressionistic landscapes reflect his lighthearted and serene outlook on life. His paintings exude a sense of calm and simplicity, inviting viewers into a realm of natural beauty and quiet reflection.
In this special pastel workshop for seniors, Noel will gently guide you through the art of landscape painting, helping you bring soft, dreamy scenes to life with rich, blended colours. Whether you’re an experienced artist or picking up pastels for the first time, this class encourages you to slow down, breathe, and find joy in the creative process.
No experience is required. Let your artistic journey be as peaceful and fulfilling as the landscapes you create. All materials will be provided.

Get ready to unleash your creativity with Norman Belen (Art of Nobel), a seasoned animator, illustrator, and educator with over thirty years of experience in the arts.

He will be training your observational and sketching skills through the art of Caricature Drawings.

Caricature is the art of exaggerating prominent features of the face and sometimes bodily gestures which aims to capture a likeness of the subject in a non-realistic and cartoony way. It is usually used in political cartoons and is widely used as a basis for designing characters for animation and film production.

In this workshop, the participants will learn the basics of caricature drawings through the use of simple lines or shapes representing facial features. They will then be paired off and would be asked to draw each other's faces using the methods that will be discussed during the session using markers on Bristol boards. At the end of the session, the participants should end up with a line drawing that represents the person they are trying to caricature.

No previous drawing experience required. Just bring along your curiosity and sense of humor.

About the Instructor

Norman Belen - Art of Nobel, started his career in 1987, training at the Japanese animation studio Tokyo Movie Shinsa, and later became one of the Philippines' first 3D animators. His talent carried him to Singapore, where he contributed to the award-winning animated series Rats 2099: The Young Heroes, refining his skills in storyboarding, character design, and 3D animation. For the last 15 years, Norman has devoted himself to teaching and sharing his artistic passion with students of every age. As a proud member of the Dimasalang III International Artist Group, he continues to explore both digital and traditional art forms. Now, through Art of Nobel, Norman shares his expertise and playful artistic style in this special caricature workshop for seniors. With his guidance, you’ll not only learn to capture personality through exaggerated yet expressive portraits, but also discover the therapeutic magic of art—soothing the soul, sparking self-expression, and bringing joy through creativity. After all, art should be as enjoyable as it is inspiring!

Here's just a glimpse of the events:
🎨 The Face of Art Runway
🎨 Speakers Series
🎨 Art Masters - Live Art Creative Challenge
🎨 Art Classes
🎨 Panel Talk - Q+As with notable artists
🎨 Live Demos

#AV2025 #ArtVancouver #ArtDemonstrations #Programming #ContemporaryArt #ArtFair
#ArtVancouver #AV2025 #Contemporary #ArtMasters #LiveArt #CreativeChallenge
#ArtVancouver #AV2025 #ArtTalk #ProtectingArt #Artfair #Contemporary


Painting Tranquility: Landscapes in Pastel by Noel Trinidad
Free Art Class taught by Noel Trinidad (Member of Dimasalang III International Artist Group)
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/painting-tranquility-lanrdscapes-in-pastel-tickets-1051195121907?aff=oddtdtcreator

Fun with Faces: Exploring the Art of Caricature
Free Art Class taught by Norman Belen (Member of Dimasalang III International Artist Group)
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fun-with-faces-exploring-the-art-of-caricature-tickets-1290381759579?aff=oddtdtcreator

Watercolor Class by Charlie Frenal
Free Art Class taught Charlie Frenal (Member of Dimasalang III International Artist Group)
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/brushing-life-into-stillness-a-watercolour-journey-tickets-1290442461139?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (VAHMS), The Consulate General of the Philippines, Vancouver in partnership with the Dimasalang III International Artist Group, will present an art collective exhibition entitled “Pan Asian Routes – Dimasalang Turns 50” at the Moat Gallery of the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch, 350 West Georgia Street during the explorASIAN 2018 National Asian Heritage Month in May. New works by Dimasalang artists, led by co-founder SYM Mendoza, will showcase paintings reflecting on the artists’ interpretation of his/her culture and origins.

2018 marks the Dimasalang Group’s 50th anniversary. The group was co-founded by SYM Mendoza and late artist-writer E. Aguilar (Abe) Cruz in Manila, Philippines in 1968. “The upcoming Dimasalang III exhibit will celebrate the anniversary of the founding original Dimasalang I Group of artists in the Philippines, followed by Dimasalang II also in Manila, and Dimasalang III in Vancouver when SYM moved to Canada in 1981 and mentored aspiring Filipino Canadian artists. It will also celebrate the sharing of works of Dimasalang III members to the mainstream society in the heart of Vancouver’s Central Public Library,” respected Filipino-Canadian community leader Leonardo Cunanan, Sr. states.

The word Dimasalang was coined by Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal who used this term as pseudonym in the books he wrote; and later a street in Manila was named after this alias. In the 1960’s, Dimasalang Street was home to SYM and the birthplace of the artist group. In Canada, SYM felt an inherent need to revive the group he formed in his new home. Also tagged the Canadian Dimasalang, this registered non-profit society Dimasalang III International Artist Group, was established.

Opening reception is scheduled on Thursday, May 3rd from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Alma Vandusen & Peter Kaye Rooms. The vibrant KHATARA Pilipino Indigenous Arts Society and the exciting Filipino Martial Arts Arnis Kali Maharlika, will grace the event with memorable performances. In the spirit of commemorating Canada’s diversity, the “Pan Pacific Routes – Dimasalang Turns 50” art exhibition aims at proudly sharing its rich and proud Filipino culture.

Free to the public, the art exhibition runs from May 1-31, 2018.
The opening reception on Thursday, May 3rd from 6:00-8:00pm is open to the public but with limited seating capacity at the Moat Gallery’s Vancouver Public Library Central Branch.

The Dimasalang III International Artists Group presents "Dimasalang Expressions" at the Vancouver Public Library's Moat Gallery at 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C.

The show will run from August 1st to 30th 2014